DISTANCE, a consortium founded to advance education through technology, has teamed up with Xively to launch a new project in the UK designed to help teachers and students interact with the digital world.
The Internet of Things initiative, funded by the Technology Strategy Board, will work with eight schools across the UK, as part of a pilot, to enhance learning in science, technology and geography.
The £800,000 project is being led by DISTANCE, which includes educational sensor company ScienceScope, LogMeIn’s Xively internet of things (IoT) platform, Intel and other universities.
DISTANCE said it would use Xively’s cloud services to create an information hub, so that users can measure and share data openly and engage in curriculum-based apps and other activities.
DISTANCE also said it hoped the scheme will encourage businesses to collaborate with the education sector and better prepare children to work within the digital economy.
Chad Jones, VP Product Strategy at Xively, said: "While Android and iOS carved a path for almost anyone to participate, many predict the Internet of Things is driving an order-of-magnitude jump in the type of commercial opportunities the economy will generate.
"It’s critical that schools understand how to leverage the IoT so they can enhance the quality of education and prepare students to be active contributors to, and beneficiaries of, this 21st-century industrial revolution. We’re excited to team with leaders such as Intel, in helping students realize the commercial promise of the IoT."
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