Accessorize Learning: Google Glass Will Change the Way Professors Teach

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When it comes to technology in the classroom, 38 percent of college students say they can't go ten minutes without using some type of device, according to a study conducted by Wakefield Research and Coursesmart in 2011. It's no wonder, then, that college professors are eyeing the many benefits of using Google Glass in the classroom. This highly anticipated technological breakthrough has the potential to change the way teachers instruct in both in-person classrooms and online settings.

Revolutionizing training for medical students

Google Glass features an on-board point-of-view camera that can be utilized by professors to create powerful educational videos to be used in the classroom, as well as online. The applications for this technology could revolutionize the way medical students learn about surgical procedures, enabling them to see through the eyes of a surgeon during real-life procedures. Vet techs attending an online program through a school such as pennfoster.edu can see professionals up close and personal with animals. These videos can be presented at lectures to create a question-and-answer approach to learning while students watch the application of their studies come to life.

Step-by-step how-to videos for use in and out of the classroom

In simpler applications, the POV videos can be used for other technical courses, such as engineering, chemistry and physics. Professors can use the videos to either enhance or replace traditional lab experiments, creating a virtual learning experience ideal for students who are attending classes online. Step-by-step videos can help students learn better, as they can be viewed repeatedly, compared to an in-class demonstration that can only be viewed once.

Enhancing the virtual learning experience

Remote teaching and tutoring can be more accessible using Google Glass. While current video chat enables students to see professors, this technology does not allow for easy document sharing, which can be done with the Google Glass application. Instructors can point students to appropriate study guides during a conversation rather than following up afterwards with an email. This collaborative approach to one-on-one teaching is ideal for schools that offer tutoring services or online university courses that require a more personalized approach.
The ability to live stream video might enable professors to simultaneously teach students in the classroom while also facilitating distance learners to attend the class from their laptops or mobile devices. This could change the way e-learning is approached, giving online students the ability to actually see into a classroom.

Note-sharing capabilities improve class interaction

Professors might be able to change their approaches to lecturing while using Google Glass by referring to their notes for each class, instead of placing them on a podium or writing them out on a chalkboard. With the ability to share files, these notes could be shared with an entire classroom, enabling each student to focus on interacting in class instead of quickly writing down notes. The technology behind Google Glass will enable professors to increase engagement with students both in the classroom and online, providing a more fruitful and positive learning experience for students, no matter where they are.