The k-12 segment over the last 5
years has undergone a sea change. The way knowledge is imparted at the school
through technology based products and solutions have changed the learning styles substantially. This has created more positive impact and shrunk the distances between various
stakeholders in the education ecosystem. The schools have come a long way from providing
a small computer lab with limited machines to a complete computer lab and tablet
labs with complete infrastructure. However as you go deeper in the interiors
the situation is grimmer. There is a remarkable polarization observed in penetration
of various ICT programs restricting the schools to get exposure to various technological
advancements. With the availability of internet bandwidth and programs the infrastructure
development will have a remarkable turnaround by 2020. According to the study
by Counterpoint research, with 220 million smart phone users India is the
second largest consumer in the world. Out of the total market of mobile phone
33% is using smart phone (ref: www.statista.com).
This will penetrate the use of #IOT in schools through various module adoptions.
Technology adoption is not only
restricted to using computer and computer aided devices in classroom for
concurrent learning. You walk through an aisle in the schools and you can relate
to any of the tech products and solutions that the school has adopted. Right from
the biometric devices for scanning and attendance, CCTV cameras for continuous
monitoring, Tab labs, mini handheld devices generating enormous data for the
school environment. The day to day gazettes and gizmos that were earlier
traditional has been converted into smart devices. The school operated bus that
transports the student from home to school and back is fitted with a GPS tracker, the
Student having a RFID or a GPS enabled ID card are all smart devices
operational in school. Smart Classrooms connected to a central processing
server and each classroom having roll number mapped smart devices to have a
complete environment for experiencing tech enabled learning.
Government is also trying to
leverage the internet and its technology by undertaking various tech enabled
initiatives. They have already made e books available for NCERT through web and
mobile App. During the recent budget by Government of India a central
examination authority has been proposed under National Testing Agency so that
the competent authorities like CBSE, AICTE, and ICSE focus on improvising academic
excellence.
Technology has been often related
to improving efficiency in the system. The #BigData
that the school generates through admission enquiry, enrolment, health,
academic grades and co curricular activity is enormous. Moreover this data will
be futile unless analyzed and not gone through the eyes of data analytics to
form decision making matrix. Some or majority of the schools today have this
data recording in manual form while others have school management system through
offline server or cloud server. The input is still manual and this is
susceptible to human error.
With the advent of super leased lines
and fibre optics with growing interference of disruptive technology enabled
solutions it gives a better customer experience in taking learning to new
heights for personalised intervention. The smart tab in the classroom mapped to
a particular roll number connected through a WIFI environment in school gives
response instantly. This enables the teachers to know real time results while
suggesting and focusing on the module that requires more focus. Through the
device teachers can know students’ weaker and stronger sections whether basics
or application of the concept. The devices that are IP enabled helps in
improving the operations. Based on these inputs the system can throw assignments on the
smart devices and help in sharpening the multiple intelligence levels. Some of
the schools can go one step ahead of profiling the students through #DMIT
(Dermatoglyphics Multiple intelligence
Test) profiling and psychometric profiling. The data generated can be used for
personalised counselling and suggesting corrective actions to further sharpen
the inherent traits and skills.
The data sensors play a very important
role for administration of larger network of chain school. Schools can be
linked with IP enabled CCTV so that the management monitors entire network
through a central data center or a smart device. Imagine a fitness program run by an institute and
spending enormous on training but without generating and monitoring the data.
The smart fitness wrist bands connected to a central server and tracking the continuous
physical activity can certainly throw lot data for corrective measures in improving
the fitness level. Based on the physical activity data the system can suggest
the calorie intake and nutritional values as well as monitor vital stats. Sensors talking about various green
initiatives in school and their impact on the ecosystem, quality of air, etc.
can be studied further. The VR and AVR based learning gives a real life 3D
experiential environment.
By far there are tremendous
opportunities in developing data analytics centre and help the K-12 segment in
making efficient use of IOT. It certainly enhances safety of the students,
improves creativity and reinstates the focus in learning through personalised
suggestions. Students themselves can be part of the data analysis and
understand and practise trends followed by successful students. Today’s
generation is the team of collaborators so we need to engage them and make them
partners in learning. Ideation, platform sharing and being responsive in real
time are the real benefits that students and teachers can garner from IOT.
The implementation of the IOT
should be robust and create a technology fencing to prevent data theft and
improve on data security. Schools wanting to leverage IOT have to invest in the
virtual connectivity and a WIFI environment, bandwidth, user devices and
moreover user training to use the smart devices in generating and using data. If
the management has to create value for their students they should in principle
align the infrastructure to the teaching methodology. Under a professional
guidance and data analytics the IOT can give an enriched learning experience creating
value for all the stakeholders.
The next generation shall be
blessed through personalised inputs, however one need to take note that the
solution should not be cluttered. The product and solution innovation should be
definitely Economical and User
Friendly!!!
