Wearable technologies can gather data—from the body of the wearer or from the environment—or provide information, or both. Wearables represent an evolution in our relationship with computing and hint at a future of ubiquitous connectivity where the furnishings of our everyday life are imbued with sensors, processors, and information displays. Inconspicuous wearable devices could change the landscape of educational computing. Wearable cameras, for instance, allow a learner to engage simultaneously as observer, reporter, and participant. As the things we own and wear acquire sensors, process data, and connect us beyond ourselves, they open new opportunities for us to see further, hear differently, and touch things we have never been able to reach, enabling a new self-awareness and an enhanced perception of the world around us.
Opportunity Statement:
Wearables, together eventually with implantables, are part of an inevitable shift toward human connectivism, which can’t be anything but amazing for learning.
Sources:
Educause – 7 Things You Should Know About Wearable Technology
Educause – ELI Podcast on Wearable Technologies
2015 Horizon Report – Wearable Technologies
Teenage Tackles Autism with help from Google Glass
Major tech companies, including Apple, Microsoft, and Google, have been instrumental in providing devices like laptops, desktops, and mobile phones, pivotal in classrooms and workplaces. Recently, these companies, along with Garmin, Meta, and Samsung, have added a focus towards wearable technologies, such as smartwatches and various headsets (VR/AR/MR/XR), which are becoming increasingly common.
For instance, Apple has sold approximately 54 million Apple Watches since 2015, FitBit has sold over 136 million devices, and Meta and has sold an estimated 20 million Quest VR headsets (Heath, 2023: Laricchia, 2023a,b). Beyond these, there’s a growing trend in biometric wearables like continuous glucose monitors and heart rate monitors . Newer Apple Watches, for example, measure blood oxygen, body temperature, and heart rate (Apple Inc., 2024). These devices, enhanced by AI and machine learning, are advancing technologies in physical and behavioral biometrics, offering more human-like interactions and analyses (Smolaks, 2022). In educational technology, biometrics can significantly enhance learning experiences (Hand, 2021: M2SYS Blog On Biometric Technology, 2023; Pullein, 2020). They provide insights into students’ physical and emotional states, allowing for tailored educational content. This adaptation leads to a more immersive learning experience, where students are engaged in a way that aligns with their personal biometric feedback. Additionally, the data gathered from these wearables contribute to Big Data and Learning Analytics, offering a wealth of information that can be used to improve teaching methods, personalize learning experiences, and enhance overall educational outcomes.
As wearable technologies evolve and become more common place, they present exciting opportunities for more personalized, immersive, and effective educational experiences, marking a significant shift in the approach to teaching and learning. Opportunities exist for the development of content, lessons and software for such devices in new and unique ways relevant to learning and training.
References
Apple Inc. (2024). Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple. https://www.apple.com/ca/apple-watch-ultra-2/
Hand, B. (2021, May 12). Biometrics in schools: 4 ways biometric data can be used to enhance learning. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/biometrics-in-schools-data-enhance-learning-4-ways
Heath, A. (2023, March 1). This is Meta’s AR / VR hardware roadmap through 2027. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/28/23619730/meta-vr-oculus-ar-glasses-smartwatch-plans#:~:text=Meta%20has%20sold%20nearly%2020,told%20employees%20during%20the%20presentation.
Laricchia, F. (2023a, October). Fitbit – statistics & facts. Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/2595/fitbit/#:~:text=Since%202010%2C%20Fitbit%20has%20sold,million%20registered%20users%20in%202022.
Laricchia, F. (2023b, November 6). Worldwide: Apple Watch Unit Sales 2015-2022. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1421546/apple-watch-sales-worldwide/
M2SYS Blog On Biometric Technology. (2023, June 1). How biometrics can benefit educational process. M2SYS Blog On Biometric Technology. https://www.m2sys.com/blog/guest-blog-posts/how-biometrics-can-benefit-educational-process/
Pullein, C. (2020, August 19). How to use biometric data to enhance learning. Medium. https://medium.com/carl-pullein/how-to-use-biometric-data-to-enhance-learning-ff3d506eb169
Smolaks, M. (2022, October 19). Machine Learning and Biometrics: How ai is becoming more human: Ai business. Machine learning and biometrics: How AI is becoming more human | AI Business. https://aibusiness.com/ml/machine-learning-and-biometrics-how-ai-is-becoming-more-human
Wearable technology is something that I would invest in. I personally own an apple watch but I feel that I’m not using it to its full potential. However, I on the fence where I don’t want it to run my life. I feel with wearables, having a delicate balance of educational data/feedback and general living should be considered when wearing wearables. Within reason, I feel wearables would be an educational investment that when used for the right purpose, can benefit the learner and the teacher.
Bradley mentions, in his well-researched comment, development of wearable technology (“wearables”) is increasing at a fast pace and the use continues to spread as wearables become more affordable. The resources from Hand (2021) and M2SYS (2023) about potential applications of wearables by schools left me feeling a little uneasy about their applications with respect to taking attendance at schools and the collection of biometric data. As wearables enter the classroom, the conversation should ideally revolve around the collection and use of student biometric data. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada emphasises the need to prioritise the privacy of young people.
Privacy aside, I am genuinely intrigued by this emerging market because I hope there might be more effective ways we can use wearables in education that are yet uncovered. One straightforward application is related to my current role in the physical education space. Fitness units at all grades often rely on students using their own data to set goals and track improvements. Cheap wearable technology opens up the opportunity for young students to track and monitor their own fitness outcomes when used correctly and responsibly.
https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/about-the-opc/what-we-do/provincial-and-territorial-collaboration/joint-resolutions-with-provinces-and-territories/res_231005_01/