From WiFi-enabled school buses to integrated smart instructional platforms, the future of IoT in education looks bright. The Internet of Things can help education become more secure, efficient, and globally integrated. Advances in IoT technology have also made education more accessible.

Education is becoming more collaborative, interactive, creative, explorative, and democratic with the help of the Internet of Things. Unlike traditional classroom environments, students are now focusing on hands-on and discovery-based approaches to learning.

The IoT also helps students to apply critical thinking skills, rather than simply regurgitating the things they’re taught. They can learn to become more capable of applying theoretical concepts into practical projects and real-life situations.

Why is IoT in education important?

The Internet of Things has an important role to play in education. This includes instructional, collaborative, and administrative purposes.

Instructional purposes

Primarily, the IoT is important in enhancing students’ learning experiences. Various instructional platforms, such as smart boards and augmented reality devices, can help students better understand learning content.

For instance, instead of presenting a static image of a heart, virtual reality or augmented reality devices can be used to illustrate how the human heart pumps blood through the body.

Collaborative purposes

Another important role of the Internet of Things is in encouraging collaborative and hands-on work. Students learn how to better distribute tasks among members of their group, as well as better understanding the value of sharing information.

For example, in a robotics project, some students might design the mechanical parts; some the electronic parts; and some might write the code.

Administrative purposes

Some administrative roles can be automated with the help of the Internet of Things. Teachers and school administrators can focus on more important tasks rather than on routine administrative tasks.

Some of the administrative tasks that can be partially or fully automated include the following:

• Checking attendance - every classroom can be equipped with a biometric fingerprint scanner to check and record student attendance.
• Grading exams - this can easily be done if the exam is multiple choice. Students can use answer sheets or take the exam online, and teachers can use an answer sheet scanner for paper-based exams. Online exams can automatically be graded.
• Detecting plagiarism - a checker software can be used to detect plagiarism in digitally-submitted work.

How will the IoT change education?

The Internet of Things will largely change education for the better. At the moment, these might not be radical or groundbreaking changes, but they are stepping stones that can lead to a paradigm shift.

As we enter the fourth industrial revolution, we are facing the promises and challenges of automation and artificial intelligence. This will greatly impact the highly regimented and one-way approach of most education systems across the world.

Teachers are likely to take on more the role of a knowledge facilitator rather than the role of an authoritative knowledge provider. Teachers will become companions and guides of students in exploring and discovering knowledge with the help of IoT.

What is the future of IoT in education?

Although no one can predict with absolute precision and accuracy what the future holds, we are all capable of making informed ideas based on the past and current trends.

The IoT is likely to increase in usefulness in education. It might not totally replace traditional learning, but it can significantly enhance it. Here are five likely scenarios of the IoT’s future in education.

1. Personalized learning

Similar to how the algorithms in social media can flood your timeline with sponsored ads, personalized learning can be based on your learning style, interests, and availability. This can apply to both formal and informal education.

In formal education, for example, there are schools that offer flexible schedules and online classes. You can use your handheld device to attend class, and VR equipment to go on educational tours and explore the world around you.

2. Immersive learning

With the combination of smart devices, virtual reality equipment, and augmented reality apps or goggles, you can have immersive learning experiences.

For example, many museums now offer augmented reality tours.

Immersive learning is also possible in the classroom with the use of virtual reality equipment, which include headsets and haptic gloves. For example, you could create architectural designs, manipulate molecules, and even travel back in time to visit a particular historic event with the help of VR equipment.

3. Hybrid & remote learning

The usefulness of hybrid and remote learning was proven during the pandemic, when the system allowed students to continue their education at minimal risks and minimal costs.

Although schools around the world have reopened for in-person classes, the usefulness of hybrid and remote learning will continue. Some schools already offer such arrangements for working students and other individuals who can’t attend in person.

4. Worldwide accessibility

The IoT will make it easier for academicians and scientists to collaborate on research projects without the need for actually meeting in person.

Some scientific projects like analyzing cosmic images are now being crowdsourced. From software development to structural design, there’s a wide range of learning materials that are accessible worldwide and can be enhanced by the Internet of Things.

5. Enhancement of traditional textbooks

Many textbooks are now available in digital form, which has made them more affordable. The next step in digital textbooks is to have multimedia presentations, regularly updated content, and even VR applications.

What are the drawbacks of IoT in education?

Despite the many advantages of IoT in education, there are also some drawbacks. These include economic inequalities, overdependence on technology, cybersecurity issues, costly setup and power dependence, connectivity problems, and integration.

• Economic inequality is the first drawback of the IoT in education. Not all schools can adapt to the growing need for IoT technology, simply because they can’t afford it. This issue, however, is external to the use of IoT in education.
• Over-dependence on technology could be another drawback. Some students may become so dependent on the technology that they compromise their ability to commit new knowledge into long-term memory.
• Cybersecurity, in terms of protection against identity theft and cyber attacks, is another issue that cannot be ignored. A fully integrated IoT system in a school can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, so a robust security system needs to be in place.
• Internet access is also a potential issue as the IoT requires fast and steady internet and reliable power supply.
• Finally, integrating various gadgets and sensors may be difficult in terms of compatibility. One solution is to retrofit the school or completely replace all gadgets and sensors.

Summary

As we approach the so-called technological singularity, we face both hope and fear, threats and opportunities. The Internet of Things and its associated technologies such as artificial intelligence are likely to improve our lives in many ways, as it is doing now.

However, it is still up to us if we can tame our demons and use technology more wisely to attain sustainable development and true social progress. The IoT facilitates a more educated society. An educated society typically leads to better socioeconomic equity and more democratic power dynamics.

Are you an educator looking for IoT resources for high school? Take a look at Arduino Education’s Explore IoT Kit and how it can support your hands-on IoT lessons.