When I read the article "5 Tech Trends that Could Supercharge Education in 2016" (here's the URL to it if you want to read it too: http://tinyurl.com/jjgovqe), the thing that caught my eye was the section about wearable technology used for classrooms. I liked the idea of using this kind of technology to keep track of kids on a field trip, or track physical activity during a PE class.
This technology offers solutions to the problems that were previously part of every field trip and PE class. Teachers don't have to worry anymore about constantly counting heads on a field trip, or doing roll call every 10 minutes. The wearable technology the students will be provided with a GPS option, so that when they get to the destination, all the students turn on their trackers and explore in small groups. Of course this doesn't replace the buddy system, and supervision provided by teachers, aides, and parents is still extremely important!!! But the technology is a "safety net" for everyone, so the students have a bit more autonomy in their field trip learning experience. If it so happens that a student isn't in sight, the teacher can check their location according to GPS and see if they are around the corner or down the hall. Wearable technology is already being used in PE settings, with iPhones and Fitbits being used to track heart rate, steps taken, etc. With this technology, PE teachers can assess and monitor individual student performance, and keep an eye on which students are more engaged in the games and activities. This ends the problem of PE teachers trying to make sure students are active and moving the entire class time. In conclusion, I think wearable technology has the potential to solve lots of common classroom problems, but it needs to be used and monitored in the right way and used with common sense. (As with every other piece of technology in the classroom.)
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AuthorHi! My name is Nicole, and I've been knitting since I was 9 years old. I love teaching myself new techniques, and sometimes making them up. I usually come up with ideas faster than I can knit them! And one day I thought, why not share it all with you! Archives
November 2016
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