I certainly think that wearable technology like this could enhance learning and aid in student engagement. For students enrolled in higher education, wearable technologies would be a great way for students and educators to communicate, stay up-to-date and help plan and organize information. If students were able to use wearable technology to participate in a virtual field trip, use the technology to communicate with peers or instructors while participating in a field trip or record and store the events of the fieldtrip would be a great way to enhance student learning.
As there is great potential with using wearable technologies to enhance students learning, there would need to be consideration made as to where students would store the vast amounts of information. If it was on the cloud, bandwidth and internet connectivity would also need to be dealt with. Educational institutions would need to provide wireless internet connections to all staff and students that could connect them to secure severs were their files and work could be saved. How much storage space would individuals be provided with? Who would be responsible for maintaining the storage of student files once they have graduated? Who would be responsible for transferring the student files away from institutional servers once the students have graduated or moved?
Over the past decade, our ability to access information has significantly improved. We are becoming more reliant on digital information (data, communication, entertainment, etc) and the amount of time we are spending interacting with the digital information continues to go up. I think that wearable technology, if used correctly, has the ability to increase students’ understanding of the world around them. If educators can allow students to use the technology as a tool to for inquiry and allow them to self-direct their learning, then students will learn valuable skills that will allow them to become more independent lifelong learners. Because of potential risks with using any new technology, educators need to work together to find ways to avoid potential risk while creating effective learning communities that allow students to communicate, collaborate and learn in a positive and productive way.
Edwards-Onoro, D. (2013, July 2). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.lireo.com/history-wearable-technology/]
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