Self-driving cars, drones, robots, intelligent toys, and the entire Internet of Things (IoT) fit into the broad emerging frontier of Intelligent Things. It isn’t so much the intelligence that drives them (likely AI or Machine Learning) as it is the transformation of our engagement with the real world into a realm where learners can expect constructive interaction and responsive from the non-human things they encounter.
As one example, telepresence robots combine a mobile base with a small screen placed roughly at the height of a person—think of a tablet computer atop a mop handle anchored to a rolling platform. A remote user controls the robot by means of a tablet or browser, allowing the unit to be positioned in various places in the room and the head to turn at various angles.
Opportunity Statement:
The practical, affordable potential of intelligent things is finally here thanks to advances in computing, networks and mechanical engineering.
Sources:
Educause – 7 Things You Should Know About Telepresence Robots
7 Things You Should Know About Drones: Educause
Techcrunch – The First Toys Powered by IBM Watson
Gartner Top Ten Technologies 2020
In 2023, YouTuber Dippaverse started a business selling toy teddy bears linked to ChatGPT (Dippaverse, 2024). Programmed with several prompts, the bear is designed to get to know its new owner. It then becomes a personalized virtual assistant, answering questions, offering advice, making suggestions, and more. This is just one example of how AI and machine learning are driving the next wave of ‘intelligent things.’ I envision virtual tutors that can tailor their tone of voice, use specific analogies to explain abstract concepts, and provide on-demand personalization, feedback, and effective scaffolding to aid learning. We are only beginning to explore the potential of ‘intelligent things.’
Other transformative intelligent technologies in education include assistive tools like e-dictionary pens, which can support students with dyslexia, aiding in spelling, grammar, reading, and literacy (Viratta AB, 2022).
Beyond merely introducing intelligent things into classrooms, the growing maker movement emphasizes learning to create such technologies. Building on Seymour Papert’s constructionism theory, engaging students in creating intelligent things can enhance both their soft and hard skills, preparing them for the 21st-century marketplace. AI and intelligent things can assist learners in developing new and innovative solutions, such as writing computer code or ideating during the design process (Chan, 2021).
For learners, intelligent things promise more personalized, accessible, flexible, interactive, and engaging learning experiences. For teachers, these technologies can provide administrative support, enhance student safety and monitoring, offer teaching assistance, enable professional development, and improve communication and collaboration among teachers, administrators, students, and parents (OpenAI, 2024).
References
Chan, C. (2021, December 24). How artificial intelligence is integrating with Maker Education. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-artificial-intelligence-integrating-maker-education-cyron-chan
dippaverse. (2024). dippaverse. https://www.youtube.com/@dippaverse
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/share/a5868661-d1df-4f2c-a0c0-cfae5c7bf508
Virrata AB. (2022, September 5). Dyslexia in school and assistive learning tools – C-pen. CPen. https://cpen.com/school/