PROJECT PLAN

INQUIRY MODULE
JOCELYN STREEPER 09/23/2019

DESCRIPTION
My initial area of interest is Internet of Things (IoT). The Internet of
Things at this moment seems most attainable to introduce into
classrooms, also building IoT labs seems to be more reasonable.
Having everything connected in a learning environment provides an
opportunity for everything in the classroom to run smoothly. Of
course, I would like to learn more about AI and XR and what these
types of technologies can do for the future of learning and humanity
itself.

SUBJECT AREA OF INTEREST

I chose IoT as my subject of interest because that seems like the

most applicable to education. IoT could do so much for schools and
would be the easiest to apply to current schools, in my opinion.

IGNITED LABS TECHNOLOGY AREA (AI)

I plan to explore AI by not just focusing on robots but also see if

there are any AI programs and what those programs may mean for
education.
For each prompt – provide 1 – 2 paragraphs on your research
experience using each technology.

1. When AI is brought up in any conversation most thoughts are

of robots. Artificial intelligence goes beyond robots and can be
found in many computer programs such as Quizlet for
example. AI technology could change the way students learn
English by introducing personalized learning. The same
software that creates suggestions in Netflix could also be used
in education to recommend students what books or articles
they should read. This technology could even go so far as to
help students get a personalized curriculum to the point where
all students could be challenged at the level they need to be
challenged at. AI systems could truly be developed within an
English classroom. It could especially help students in writing
with plagiarism checkers and software that helps grow a
student’s writing.
2. This technology unfortunately has a high price point. Education
facilities must pay for software, which can become pricey. Low
income public schools might have to provide laptops, tablets,
and other smart devices because not all students will have
access to such things. AI itself is advanced technology and has
a high potential to benefit learning but it may only be used in
schools that can afford such technologies. Some software is
affordable, but it would take time for schools to build their
arsenal of AI technologies that would benefit students.

3. There are a few ways this technology may be used outside of

its original intended purpose. One way which could be
considered for good, is this technology could be used to find at
risk students and help them get what they need. The same
software that personalizes learning to each individual student

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 could be used to look for any red flags in students. One thing
that educators should be wary of is the way this technology
may impact interaction between educators and students. While
the advancement of education through technology is great,
human interaction is still needed to develop emotional and
social skills and is a big part of learning. Education facilities
should be careful not to focus so much on technology that the
teacher just becomes a babysitter watching students learn on a
computer. AI should be integrated into the classroom and
should not take over.

IGNITED LABS TECHNOLOGY AREA (XR)

I plan to explore virtual reality in order to understand what it may
mean for education. I want to understand virtual reality and see how
it may impact learning and students.

For each prompt – provide 1 – 2 paragraphs on your research

experience using each technology.

1. Virtual reality could change the way students learn English by

providing field trips, that do not involve leaving the room. In
high school English there is not much of a chance for field
trips. VR in the classroom could provide a learning environment
that makes visual connections. Students could take field trips
into books to better understand the context of the writing and
understand why the writing is symbolism or satire. For
example, instead of waiting to watch To Kill a Mockingbird
when the class is done reading VR could put students into
appropriate scenes from the book, so they have a visual with
their reading. VR could increase in class interaction in this way,
by including the kids who never really cared about learning. Tis
type of technology could cause students to feel interest in what

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 they’re reading about, an make it easier to write about their
readings. VR could cause a much more interactive classroom.
2. One shortfall of this technology is a shortfall we may see in any
technology. VR could be a great learning tool until there is
functionality issues. When used as a tool in the classroom,
some lectures, or activities could be based around a VR
experience. So, while the technology is being fixed students
learning is put on hold. If the technology or software being
used has a major error that takes too long to fix, VR would put
students behind in school rather than making their educational
experience better. Another shortfall is of course price. Schools
would have to afford VR headsets, while also buying software,
or even paying to have software designed specifically for the
program. School districts would probably have to seek
donations from VR companies for it to become a reality in all
schools.
3. This technology could be utilized to help new teachers
understand a learning environment. It could put future
educators into simulated situations in order to train them how
to handle it. Teachers could be put through simulations in
order to understand what to do when students bully each
other, or what to do when a fight breaks out. VR could have a
positive effect on how districts train educators. One thing to be
wary of is students getting addicted to virtual reality. If VR
stays only in the classroom, human interaction should stay the
same for students and addition to VR should have a low
chance of happening.

IGNITED LABS TECHNOLOGY AREA (IOT)

I explored devices pertaining to Internet of Things in order to

understand how this could be applied to real life. To me it is

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important to understand the technology and explore what it might
mean for education.

For each prompt – provide 1 – 2 paragraphs on your research

experience using each technology.

1. I think technology such as IoT could change the way people

learn within English classes. IoT provides a connection of
technology within the classroom an could promote personalized
education. With IoT English students would not only have more
access to education but educators could better understand
where said student lies within the education system and what
he or she needs to enhance their education. IoT could be set
up in the library and more books could be uploaded for
students to use in their writing and reading classes for
research, and reports. Because everything is connected with
IoT teachers would know what they are reading and as an
English teacher I could better connect with students when I
can understand what they read and why. IoT can even go so
far as to analyze human emotion and this could be seen as a
violation of privacy, but because there is so many types of
learning such as visual, kinetic, etc., this technology could be
used for educators to find out what kind of learning suites each
student best so they then know how to help each student. IoT
could benefit English classrooms of all grades in many ways.

2. The biggest shortcoming of this technology is its security.

Because all devices are connected and united, all devices are
vulnerable to any sort of hacking. For IoT to be effective in
schooling, the system would have to have a lot of personal
information of students and teachers to create personalized
learning. That can be a scary thing when all that sensitive

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 information is vulnerable. It could lead to the safety of
students of teachers being threatened. If IoT is being used for
the security of schools, hacking the system could also threaten
the safety of the entire establishment. IoT’s biggest downfall is
its vulnerability to the outside world.
3. With any technology given to young students, educators
always run the risk of creating an environment where
cyberbullying may take place. The one-way IoT may be utilized
outside of its intended original purpose is to use this
connecting technology to bring down both educators and
students. Cyberbullying is the one thing educators should be
most wary of with this technology. On the other hand, this
technology could also make it easier for students to connect. If
IoT is used properly to connect students, it may be easier for
students to make friends, and even reach out to admin if
they’re feeling isolate on campus. This technology can be
utilized in many ways outside of its intended purpose.

RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS
All these tools, AI, XR, and IoT, could be used for the bettering of
education. Education could become more personalized, provide more
resources, and become safer. These advancements would
significantly increase the interaction of students with technology.
This could be a good thing considering society is becoming more
technologically advanced day by day. More jobs are requiring
experience with technology and this exposure to technology in
school could lead to student success when looking for jobs. Such
interactions with technology could also lead to changes in the
education system that would benefit the system. Also, this
interaction with new technology could provide an opportunity for all
students to want to be engaged. A personalized education could

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mean a lower drop out rate, if students are getting an education
better suited for them.

Technology in school also has its drawbacks. The use of technology

could be used as a crutch for some students. They may limit their
interaction with face-to-face learning but be totally engaged through
electronic learning because it is a new tool that piques their interest.
The amount students would be interacting with technology could
also lead to less social interaction. Students may be willing to
participate electronically but not when it comes to reality. Of course,
another thing that would become easier is cyber bullying. Students
who may find safety in these new technologies could easily be
targeted by other students who now have access to technology
throughout the entire day. However, because the way technology
would be used it could be easier for admin to put an end to cyber
bullying in schools.

PERSONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE

After exploring these technologies, I feel better about what I know
about them. Before I did not know much about any of these
technologies. I had a hard time understanding what the
advancement of technology meant for education, but through this
research I see technology can provide many positive resources for
education. Education cannot stay stagnant, and these technologies
could really help foster a change within the schooling system, so as a
future educator I am excited to see what technology will do in my
classrooms. I also see how some of these technologies are already
being used at ASU and how they may be used in some high schools.
This experience has made me confident in the future of technology
and education.