IoT in Education – The Various Aspects and Advantages

Classrooms today are changing faster than ever. With smart boards, connected devices, and real-time feedback tools, technology is becoming a regular part of everyday teaching. At the heart of this shift is IoT, or the Internet of Things. Schools and colleges are using IoT to build smarter, more connected learning environments. But for any of this to work well, teachers and school leaders need to understand how IoT fits into the education space. Knowing how to use it can help create better lesson plans, improve student engagement, and make classrooms more efficient.

In this article, we’ll break down what IoT in education really means, how it’s being used, the benefits it offers, and the challenges that come with it. Let’s get started.

What is IoT?

IoT, or the Internet of Things, is a digital technology that enables objects like speakers, lights, and home appliances to interact with smartphones and laptops through applications run on Internet technology. IoT technology aims to make our lives easier by automating mundane activities. If a device is connected to the internet and can transmit information, it is known as an IoT smart device.

What is IoT in Education?

IoT in education refers to the integration of Internet of Things devices and technologies into learning environments to enhance teaching and student experiences. It involves using connected devices like sensors, smart boards, and wearables to collect data, streamline processes, and create interactive learning opportunities. Ultimately, it helps make learning more fun and effective for everyone involved.

What Are the Benefits and Importance of IoT in Education?

Recognizing the role of technology in modern education, NEP 2020 encourages the adoption of digital infrastructure and smart learning tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences. IoT aligns with this vision by enabling real-time data sharing, automation, and interactive learning. Here are the benefits of leveraging IoT in education –

1. Improved Access to Learning

IoT enables educational institutions to offer easy access to learning from anywhere globally. Building a connected education experience also allows teachers to network and learn from each other. Similarly, students can work in groups irrespective of their geographic location.

2. IoT Aids Resource Management

Effective resource management is challenging for every educational institution. Integrating IoT into your institution’s systems can improve the optimisation and conservation of resources.

3. Real-Time Data Processing

IoT devices in education enable educators to collect accurate data about how their students interact with the devices and applications provided to them. Analysing this data can help you understand more about a student’s learning needs, progress, and interests. Such insights are vital for institutions that wish to provide personalised learning experiences.

4. Efficient Management & Administration

IoT can help your institution automate several management and administrative tasks. Automation helps ensure efficiency and accuracy in fund distribution, tracking supply management, maintaining student records and other management tasks.

5. Smart Security Solutions

IoT offers numerous security solutions for keeping your school campus safe and secure. Surveillance cameras, vaping sensors, video monitoring tools, and tracking devices linked to the internet can help you maintain decorum and safety in your institution.

6. Aiding Research

Research enables students to learn concepts better, especially in subjects that require a deeper understanding. Advanced technologies offer students new methods to learn certain concepts via in-deapth research. And, IoT makes research a much easier process than before.

7. Operating Cost

There are numerous operating costs involved in running an educational institution. The infrastructure consumes energy for heating, electricity, transportation, etc. You can use IoT to minimise the operating costs in your institution. IoT solutions like smart air conditioning, ventilation equipment, temperature sensors, and smart heating solutions can help reduce energy consumption.

8. Inclusivity for Disabled Students

IoT offers various solutions for students with disabilities. You can provide smart devices to help students with disabilities to learn alongside other students. It will help project an inclusive and tolerant image for your educational institution.

What Are the Examples of IoT Devices in Education?

Schools worldwide have given up the black and white board to work with LED screens and projectors. In their time, these devices raised the bar to create smarter classrooms. But now, IoT devices can help educators to do more and build smarter learning experiences.

1. Video-Enabled Learning

Learning with the help of video aids includes two things – learning through pre-recorded videos and attending a live online class through a video call. You can collaborate with experts worldwide to create video learning resources for your school. Teachers across India have successfully utilised Extramarks Smart Class Plus, a smart classroom solution that uses video-based learning to enhance traditional pedagogical methods.

2. Smart Pen Scanner

A smart pen scanner can quickly scan images and text from books and documents. The scanned information can then be printed or displayed on a screen.

3. Interactive Learning Devices

IoT devices such as virtual reality goggles or mobile devices can help create an interactive learning experience for students. Teachers can offer a guided tour of a historical site in augmented reality for an interactive history lesson.

4. Instant Feedback

Most IoT devices enable institutions to get instant feedback from students and employees. Real-time communication can help educators facilitate their lessons per their learners’ needs.

5. Webcams in Classrooms

Webcams enabled by IoT can do more than monitor student behaviour and activities. Teachers can use webcams to broadcast lectures and create virtual classrooms.

6. Voice-to-Text Technology

Taking notes is quicker and easier if students use voice-to-text technology. Teachers and students can use voice-to-text technology to make notes efficiently when perusing new learning material.

7. Smart Boards, Textbooks, & Classrooms

Smart boards are an interactive touch screen display that uses smart pens and touch to make teaching more efficient. Similarly, modern schools are adopting tablets with apps instead of textbooks and building smart classrooms using interactive IoT devices.

Popular Applications Within IoT Education

1. Attendance Systems

Biometric attendance systems for school students and employees can automate a school’s attendance management function. Networked biometric systems such as fingerprint scanners, face scanners or retinal scanners can help record and report the attendance for your institution.

2. Screen Readers

Visually challenged students may not benefit from installing smart screens in a classroom without screen readers. Screen readers convert the written material on the smart board or screen to enable visually impaired students to read.

3. Remote Monitoring & Early Detection

Wearable health devices can help record and analyse a wide range of physiological data, such as heart rate, sleep patterns, pulse, and physical activity.

4. Contactless Payments

Contactless payments help institutions offer their students many fee payment channels. Even if the students are not in the same city or country, they can make timely payments.

5. Foreign Language Training

IoT-enabled applications can help create an immersive environment for learners of foreign languages. Schools can use these applications to offer students the required support for exchange programs in other countries.

6. Remote Learning

IoT devices enable students and teachers to connect and continue learning irrespective of geographic location. Remote learning applications also enable self-learning and distance learning more effectively for institutions.

7. Task-Based Learning

Institutions can enhance their education experience by creating task-based stimuli for conceptual learning. IoT apps also allow students to share their thoughts and collaborate for task-based learning.

There are several benefits of using IoT in the education sector. Due to cost constraints, educational institutions often shy away from installing the latest IoT applications in education. Fortunately, schools can partner with Extramarks to get their students the best IoT technology.

At Extramarks, our teams leverage the latest education technology and devices to create classroom solutions for the 21st century. Our Smart Class Plus is designed for the new-age classroom equipped with smart classroom technology, the Teaching App, the Learning App, as well as the Exramarks Parent App. It is an all-encompassing solution to help schools provide personalised learning for better engagement and results.

What Are the Challenges of IoT in Education and How Can You Tackle Them?

As IoT becomes more common in classrooms and campuses, it brings some useful benefits but also a few real challenges. If you’re planning to introduce IoT into your school or institution, here are some things you need to be aware of and how you can deal with them smartly.

1. Privacy and Security Concerns

With more connected devices and sensors in use, the risk of cyberattacks goes up. Students’ personal data, login details, academic records, and even attendance can be exposed if networks are not secure. Threats like data theft, phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and ransomware are all possible. If something goes wrong, it can damage the reputation of your institution and put students at serious risk.

What You Can Do:

Stick to proper digital safety practices and make sure everyone on your team understands how to handle data responsibly. Regularly train students and staff on safe online habits. Don’t cut corners on cybersecurity. Invest in strong protection tools, and always work with trusted providers who use up-to-date security technologies. Also, have a backup plan in place in case something goes wrong.

2. High Implementation Cost

IoT tools are useful, but setting them up can be expensive. Apart from buying devices, you also have to pay for software licenses, maintenance, power supply, and staff training. You will also need a stable and fast internet connection, which means upgrading your bandwidth and Wi-Fi setup. For public schools or large institutions, the total cost can be tough to manage.

What You Can Do:

Look for companies that offer affordable IoT solutions built specifically for schools. It may help to work with a consultant who can guide you to the right tools instead of the most hyped ones. If your needs are very specific, consider getting a custom solution built by a vendor with experience in the education sector. That way, you only pay for what you actually need.

3. Lack of Infrastructure to Store and Process Data

IoT systems collect a lot of data every day, and storing or processing that data requires solid infrastructure. Unfortunately, many schools still rely on old systems that aren’t built for this kind of load. This can cause devices to stop working properly or result in important information being lost or leaked.

What You Can Do:

Go for cloud-based storage systems that can handle large volumes of data. These platforms are more reliable and can be scaled as needed. Also, it’s a smart idea to back up your data in multiple locations. That way, even if something fails, you won’t lose everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the three important roles of technology in education?

Technology helps education in three major ways:

1. Accessibility: It makes learning easier to reach for more students. With devices like tablets, laptops, audio-visual tools, and internet access, students can attend classes and access study materials from anywhere.
2. Interactivity: Learning becomes more hands-on. Students can try out coding online, run virtual experiments, or even use 3D printers to bring ideas to life. It’s not just about reading but about doing and exploring.
3. Collaboration: Working in teams is simpler. Students can share documents on platforms like Google Drive, edit them together in real time, and work on group projects without being in the same room.

2. What is a significant application of IoT in the school classroom?

IoT helps turn regular classrooms into smart ones. Devices like sensors, tablets, and smartboards make lessons more interactive. Lights and temperature can adjust on their own, and students get a more engaging learning experience.

3. How will the role of educators change with the increased reliance on IoT in classrooms?

Even with more technology, teachers remain important. Their job will shift from just teaching facts to guiding and supporting students in a tech-filled environment. They will help make technology useful, use data to support individual learning and focus on skills like critical thinking and empathy that technology can’t replace.

 

Last Updated on June 4, 2025