Research pick: Virtually transforming classrooms with the Internet of Things - "Design and implementation method of immersive IoT teaching platform based on virtual reality technology"

Education has already been transformed radically by technological advancements and by societal changes. Traditional, classroom and lecture-based models have evolved into more interactive and engaging approaches. However, challenges remain, and the student experience is not always as they and their educators might hope for. A study in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has looked at how virtual reality (VR) technology might be integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) teaching platforms to create a more immersive and interactive educational experience for certain parts of the curriculum.

Dafei Wu of the School of Information Engineering at Hunan University of Science and Engineering in Yongzhou, Hunan, China discusses how VR technology provides an immersive environment and could for many students enhance traditional teaching methods by offering a dynamic and engaging platform. When combined with the IoT that allows interconnected devices to interact with their environment and exchange data, the potential of VR might be opened up even further, changing how educational content might be delivered and so experienced.

Wu suggests that this kind of integration could lead to novel teaching methods paradigm to the benefit of students. It might even be tailored to be more closely aligned with society and industry requirements from the educational system. Conventional teaching methods often keep theoretical and practical learning separate, the world of VR technology coupled with the IoT might help better support teaching objectives and student development.

Fundamentally, with such an approach, students might access course materials and engage with content at any time and anywhere, thus allowing them to experience continuous learning and develop skills at their own pace within the overall educational framework. This, Wu suggests, might be particularly useful on courses where the demand for resources often exceeds availability.

“Simulation results demonstrate VR’s extensive applicability, offering a broader and more open educational platform,” concludes Wu. He adds that “Future endeavours should focus on effectively combining immersive IoT with higher education to enhance educational outcomes.”

Wu, D. (2024) ‘Design and implementation method of immersive IoT teaching platform based on virtual reality technology’, Int. J. Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 24, No. 8, pp.76–89.