Education gets smart: how the IoT is changing our schools
New and exciting Internet of Things (IoT) applications are making our world more efficient and connected than ever. We are seeing new and innovative IoT applications appear across various industries. One sector where the IoT has the potential for influencing radical change is in schools. From reception to university, we are seeing the use of connected devices such as laptops, iPad’s, smart projectors and digital pens become increasingly common among educators and students alike.
Not only are these connected tools important for enhancing learning experience, they also give access to new and non-traditional methods of learning that include cross campus digital collaboration; as well as flexible, long distance learning for students who cannot access a classroom. Outside of teaching tools, the IoT can also be used to monitor and adjust environmental factors such as temperature and humidity to ensure the optimal comfort and productivity of both students and teachers.
While the IoT is already revolutionizing the way we teach in schools, there are a number of actions school IT departments have to take in order to seamlessly integrate IoT technologies into the classroom. Failure to prepare properly may result in more disruption than reward.
The challenge for many schools is that the majority of existing IT infrastructure was designed and built for a less connected age. Now, administrators need robust monitoring tools in place to ensure they can diagnose and solve network issues before a user notices any kind of problem.
It is important to keep in mind that the IoT is not as new as one may think. Not every connected device is the latest and greatest technology from industry-leading companies. Some devices may use outdated firmware or are connected via a small computer like Raspberry Pi. This variation in IoT devices can prove a challenge for IT administrators who require a comprehensive understanding of the connectivity requirements for each device in order to develop solutions that allow for IoT integration.
Further, as IoT networks in schools grow and become more complex, the risk of disruption or downtime is likely if admins lack the visibility to continually monitor for hardware and software issues.
