This blog is about emerging trends in educations towards using technology and coding devices in the classroom. Coding devices such as spheres, raspberry Pi, Lego Mindstorms, have been used very successfully in the classroom for quite some years, however bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology will offer an even more gamified, engaged and individualized learning experience.
I strongly believe that devices using (AI), (VR) and (AR) technology will eventually be the most used devices in the classrooms. Augmented Reality (AR) for instance is a technology that layers interactive digital elements into 3 D models and animations.
CoSpaces Edu allows students to apply their coding experiences to create 3D worlds, create infographics and tell stories of virtual exhibits and tours. But even better, the MERGE Cube allows teachers to create lessons and projects to explore STEM concepts and lets students ‘hold a hologram’ in their hands!!
On the other hand, however, Virtual Reality (VR) applications are very popular already in some of the European schools because they offer a versatile platform combining the AR and VR for education. Devices like ClassVR have Standalone VR headsets that are fully classroom-ready to provide virtual reality experiences and ClassVR is a learning management application that allows teachers to build lessons with curriculum-aligned content and to manage students’ success rates.
And even better are Artificial Intelligence (AI), I Robots that us AI technology, a very advanced technology that is aware of its surroundings and carries out tasks typically involving planning, researching, language processing and facial recognition, in such a way that maximizes its chances of success. Artificial intelligence, gaming platforms and online learning technologies combining and intersect the physical and digital world (also known as phygital) thus facilitating teaching methods that make learning more engaging and much more impactful. Tomorrow’s’ classrooms will happen in a ‘trans’ space, where students will constantly commute between the physical and digital world but never really leaving either realm.
As a conclusion, I believe that the current trend in education towards coding devices will remain in the near future. And that hands-on coding devices like as spheros, raspberry Pi, Lego Mindstorms, Robotic will still play an integrated part in teaching students how to code, however, I strongly believe that eventually they will be replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), in the classrooms.
The reason for this is two-folded. First tangible hands-on devices will add to the digital waste and may not align with the sustainable worldview that future generations will share. And secondly, AIs, VRs and ARs and holograms may offer a waste-free experience that is just as intriguing and authentic as doing it with the robots themselves.
Hey Martina, thanks for sharing that MERGE cube. I’ve never seen anything like it! I think augmented reality and virtual reality do hold some interesting futures for education. As the cost comes down, and the experience gets better and better, I think there is some potential to experience some very immersive educational simulations. I am trying to make it my goal to experiment with these in the next 3 years (still a bit too pricey for me!)
I think that there are very exciting times ahead of us. I am so thankful that I can be part of this change.