Page 30 - School Planning & Management, September 2017

TECHNOLOGY { ENHANCING + ENGAGING + CONNECTING }
The Internet of Things (IoT): The Art of the Possible
Education professionals predict that, in five years, the majority of schools
will have incorporated IoT into core functional areas. What is IoT, and how does it and will it relate to our educational facilities?
By Ellen Kollie
EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT OF 300 TOP K-12 decision- makers, IT professionals and administrators say the Inter- net of Things (IoT) will make schools safer, 81 percent say
it will improve student engagement and 65 percent say it will save schools/districts significant money. This is according to a survey released in June by Vernon Hills, Illinois-based CDW-G, a leading multi-brand technology solutions provider.
With a goal of taking a closer look at schools’ and districts’ progress around IoT adoption and their goals for IoT transforma-
tion, the survey results yielded quite a lot of information. For example, of the top three tools and applications to date,
48 percent are smart/connected security cameras, 37 percent are smart lighting systems and 35 percent smart HVAC systems and/ or smart thermostats.
And, of those using IoT, the top three benefits cited to date are improved school safety/security (55 percent), improved energy efficiency (38 percent) and improved student engagement
(36 percent).
30 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / SEPTEMBER 2017
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