When it comes to applying technology in school, we are truly in an era unlike anything that came before it. There is unprecedented use of tech in schools, classrooms, and school security, transforming how communication happens in these environments and how students learn. These innovative technologies in schools are sometimes trendy, experimentative, and always innovative, improving the environment through security or facilitating more effective learning.
Here are some of the most innovative technologies used in schools:
Interactive Smartboards
Touch-enabled screens facilitate more dynamic lessons than traditional whiteboards. Teachers can create multimedia presentations with images, videos, animation, and more in daily lessons. Interactive smartboards allow for more interaction in a student’s learning.
Digital Readers and Tablets
Readers and tablets are replacing bulky textbooks and providing a centralized database for all reading and study materials. Digital content can also be easily updated while keeping costs low and meeting students’ needs.
Immersive Virtual Reality
Bring historical events to life. Immerse students in real-life science experiments. Travel geography. Do all of this and more with virtual reality, or VR. Students gain unique lived experiences while exploring history and complex concepts.
IoT Devices
IoT sensors can monitor classroom conditions, such as temperature and air quality. IoT software can be partnered with smart projectors, lighting systems, security sensors, and more. RFID-enabled devices can even automatically track attendance.
Smart Lockdown Mechanisms
Smart lockdown security systems can automatically lock doors and windows in response to breaches. Integrate smart tech into your communication system as well to automatically send alerts. Threat detection can trigger these lockdown mechanisms through camera and sensor information.
Weapon Detection Systems
Screen students and individuals entering the school for concealed weapons and dangerous objects that may not be immediately visible. With weapons detection systems for schools, the scan is noninvasive. It can occur at all entry points and high-risk areas. There is no need for metal detectors.
Gunshot Detection Systems
Some schools use innovative gunshot detection systems with acoustic sensors to identify gunshots, determine their location, and automatically notify authorities. This allows a school to trigger a lockdown response, and surveillance cameras can confirm the visual detection.
Game-Based Learning
Gamification can make subjects more fun, especially when it comes to math and science. Teachers can use this technology to create leaderboards and virtual badges and provide rewards to increase student motivation. Encourage teamwork and competition with multiplayer educational games.
Adaptive Learning Software
Adaptive learning software tracks students’ progress and adjusts the difficulty or pace of the material taught to suit the individual. This paves the way for more personalized learning, effectively allowing students to learn at their own speed.
Student Response Systems
Use mobile apps to allow students to provide instant feedback during lessons, provide feedback after a lesson, or facilitate messaging directly from teacher to student. This can aid quiet students in actively participating in large classrooms and taking control of their learning.
AI for Learning in Schools
AI-powered school technology can do a multitude of things to improve student performance. Provide feedback and markups on virtual assignments and quizzes.
AI tutors can offer explanations and instruction on challenging concepts, assist with homework and assignments, and supplement teacher instruction. Analyze a student’s learning style to make recommendations on what the best materials are to use.
Predict at-risk students based on marks and metrics. Assign an AI chatbot to help answer student queries and provide general information about the curriculum or the school.
AI-Powered Surveillance Cameras
Installing AI-powered surveillance cameras throughout a school has never been more affordable. These cameras can cover areas that are not regularly supervised. AI can observe these areas in real-time, identify suspicious behaviours, and alert security personnel for loitering or unauthorized access.
3D Printing Projects
3D printing allows students to design and print prototypes, which is perfect for classes and lessons in engineering or art. It’s also a way to facilitate hands-on learning in STEM subjects through creating tangible models and problem-solving through iterative design.
STEM Simulations
Virtual experiments with AR or VR are becoming easier in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Physics and chemistry simulators, or virtual bridges and circuits, can teach or test engineering concepts.
Staff and Teacher Collaboration Tools
All sorts of software can be utilized to collaborate and communicate between educators, staff, and students. These include Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. Send messages, share files, and work together as a team on projects or to address agreed-upon initiatives.
Cybersecurity Tools
While you might not ever know looking at the outside of a school, many are using advanced cybersecurity protocols to guard their IT systems and personal information. Protect student data and networks from attacks and hacking—audit system vulnerabilities. Safely guard against threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware.
