Modern universities require cutting-edge digital tools to facilitate better data availability, information transmission, and connectivity for students and faculty on campus. Therefore, the concept of smart campuses has emerged in recent years to meet these needs. The application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in university education is one of the main driving forces behind this emergence.
The way we learn and teach has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Like most other places, classrooms are no longer just about whiteboards and some markings; over the years, an increasing number of digital technologies have emerged to assist learners and teachers. The emergence of smart classrooms in several schools and colleges around the world is a culmination of this influx. The smart classroom market is expected to grow further in the future.
However, as we know, learning extends beyond the classroom. Therefore, the concept of smart campuses has recently gained attention. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role in creating and coordinating smart classrooms, campuses, and many other educational applications. Smart campuses utilize IoT-enabled connected network infrastructure to synchronize all data transmission and processing devices within the university campus. Below are some ways in which IoT involvement in university use can contribute to student learning and other campus-related priorities.
Research based on smart laboratories
Electronically controlled laboratory equipment such as electron microscopes, variable isolation transformers, multimeters, and oscilloscopes can be connected to public networks via the Internet of Things (IoT). This connectivity enables researchers to conduct potentially hazardous experiments remotely with precision. Furthermore, smart labs allow students and lab instructors to generate and record experimental data in the shortest possible time. Integrating IoT into university-funded research projects is also crucial for new discoveries and theoretical development. Moreover, the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence allows researchers to predict experimental outcomes and formulate hypotheses based on such predictions.
Parking Management
Parking lots at educational institutions, especially during the chaotic periods before and after classes, require proper management. Campus users may bring their vehicles into the parking lots and find finding a parking space challenging. Therefore, interconnected IoT cameras, radar services, and other systems are crucial for designated parking management teams to monitor and guide traffic in and out of university parking lots. More importantly, IoT-enabled parking lots at universities allow users to find available spaces to park their vehicles via self-service kiosks. These smart campus features not only allow management to control parking occupancy and prevent chaos but also generate revenue by tracking vehicle parking time and collecting fines for exceeding certain limits.
Beyond these two, numerous other IoT-based applications offer limitless possibilities for campus stakeholders in universities and educational institutions. While research institutes must invest heavily in installing and implementing such systems on their campuses, the positive attributes of their applications far outweigh the costs.
