Blog

The pandemic has shut down academic institutions and opened the door to the digital classroom. The Internet of Things (IoT) can make learning more interconnected, collaborative, and efficient for learners and educators all over the world.

Last April, 1.2 billion children in 186 countries were out of the classroom. Schools and universities around the world closed to protect the health and safety of teachers and students, accelerating digital adoption in the education sector.

But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the education technology (EdTech) market was already showing promising growth and high adoption. Global investments reached USD 18.66 billion in 2019, with the overall market for online learning projected to reach USD 350 billion by 2025.

The Internet of Things (IoT), a connection of devices to the Internet, has the huge potential to improve teaching and learning. Education could become better connected, more collaborative, and personalized.

How education can benefit from IoT

• Flexibility of learning pace. Unlike in a traditional classroom setting, students can learn at their own pace, moving through concepts as slowly or as quickly as they choose. This is especially beneficial for special needs or alternatively-abled students.
• Real-time data collection. Data will give administrators and educators greater insight on how to improve the professional training of teachers and the academic progress of students. Teachers will be able to adjust and improve future lesson plans and determine which students need more individual attention.
• More efficient school management. From monitoring supplies to distributing funds, IoT can remove time-consuming paperwork tasks and give education institutions a faster, interconnected decision-making framework. IoT devices such as smart HVAC systems and lighting systems can help establishments reduce operating costs.
• Greater collaboration among institutions. Teachers and professors can use peer-to-peer professional training tools to exchange ideas and best practices, opening the door to uniform teaching standards for academic institutions around the world.
• Enhanced campus security. Smart cards that monitor their attendance and facilities access, allow them to make payments, and store their important health and medical data can keep students safer on campus.

IoT applications in education

• Learning management system (LMS) and virtual learning environment (VLE).  With these digital classrooms, teachers can create, manage, and share academic content. Integrated live video communication enables interaction with their students. Through individualized instruction, teachers can personalize content and pace based on the proficiency and interests of each student. Some examples include Google Classroom, Moodle, Schoology, and Edmodo.
• Digital whiteboards. Perfect for brainstorming ideas and collaborating with your students, digital whiteboards encourage classroom engagement. Zoom, Miro, and Explain Everything are some of the options for teachers.
• Rolling study halls. Kajeet, an American wireless service provider dedicated to kids and education, makes Wi-Fi systems for “smart” school buses, allowing students to finish and submit their assignments on the go. The company has partnered with Google’s Rolling Study Halls program, which brings reliable Wi-Fi access to rural areas.
• Student smart cards. Founded in 1992, UK-based Magicard produces a variety of smart cards that can make campuses a safer and more efficient learning environment for students.

The digital divide
All these advantages and applications of IoT in education, however, can only benefit those who have access to the Internet and funds for digital devices. With children from less affluent and tech-savvy families having a harder time learning online, the gap in education quality, and thus socioeconomic quality will become even wider.

As they move to virtual classes, the digital literacy skills of teachers is another concern—especially among older educators. Their lack of digital know-how could prevent them from teaching effectively. Parents will also have to become more confident in helping their children learn online.

This pandemic could be an opportunity for educational institutions to move their focus from traditional academic skills and memorization to critical thinking and adaptability—skills that are becoming even more important in our fast-paced, increasingly tech-driven world.

As one of the Top 20 EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions. 

At IMI, we believe that humanity drives technology, and we direct our passion at solutions that enhance our way of living.  With more than 400,000 square meters of factory space in 22 factories across 10 countries, we are positioned to build your business on a global scale.

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner.

Let's work together to build our future today.