Wearable Technologies in the K-12 Classroom — Cross-disciplinary Possibilities and Privacy Pitfalls

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the opportunities and challenges of wearable computers for supporting learning activities. Specifically, we address the following: 1) whether, and if so how, wearable technologies can be used to support learning in and across different subjects and 2) concerns that wearables raise regarding cyber ethics. Our findings suggest that the use of wearables in teaching and learning provides pedagogical opportunities in and across subjects, but this can be time-consuming for teachers and researchers. Furthermore, students were surprisingly unconcerned about privacy issues linked to the use of smartwatches.