Google Glass may change how we see, experience and learn.
When change is the new norm, what does that mean for schools? Case in point: By the end of this year, there will be more smartphones on the planet than there are humans. Ten years ago, we didn’t know that we’d all have small devices that fit into our pockets. Now we can’t live without the smartphone. Laptops and iPads are a necessity for anyone attending university. So what’s next?
Many believe the next new thing coming to revolutionize education is Google Glass. The good news is the product is a ways away from becoming mainstream—although some speculate it may be sold by the end of this year—so you still have time to plan for how it may change, well, everything!
Here comes Google Glass
Elegant and sophisticated, light and comfortable, voice, touch and motion-controlled. They connect you with the internet and provide the data through a small screen appearing in the corner of your vision. What do they do? Well, just about everything short of giving you super-powers. Snap pictures, record video, get directions, you name it—access anything from the internet, all with a tilt of your head, touch of your finger or simple voice command. The power of the world wide web is right smack up front of your brain. Providing instant data, language translations, effortless sharing. Revolutionary? You bet it is!
What’s really interesting is that Google Glass was designed because developers wanted to make it easier for people to connect with each other. Unlike smartphone, you’re looking at the world with the internet right alongside it, not through a device screen. Stop and smell the roses, maybe stop and look UP for a change.
Hey, nice new shades!
So how soon do you think a cool new device like this will make it into classroom? Well, if smartphones and tablets are any indication, the answer is “as soon as they will become available in stores”.
So just imagine what school is going to be like with that wealth of data at your fingertips.
- Lectures, discussions, experiments and demonstrations recorded instantly
- Teachers can take students anywhere in the world and teach History of Arts from Louvre, without the costs of taking the whole class on a road trip
- Collaboration can be taken to entirely new level, with mind maps, images and projects worked on multiple students
However, with every opportunity comes responsibility. It takes BYOD to a whole new level. Students can just as easily watch a movie while pretending to stare at the boring physics equation. Instructors wouldn’t be the wiser! Data can be grabbed from the net as the tests are written. You could have a room full of geeks at your disposal helping you on your Computer Science exam – powering exam cheating big time. We know one thing, with technology like that, change is coming and educators will have to adjust. Time to start developing classroom management tools and policies for Google Glass now!
What do you think of Google Glass? Do you think it will make it easier or harder for people to connect in real life? Please share your thoughts below or contact us on Facebook!
