iBeacon is a new technology introduced by Apple Inc. and they call it “a new class of low-powered, low-cost transmitters that can notify nearby iOS 7 devices of their presence.” It arrived in iOS7 which means it works with iPhone 4s onwards, iPad third generation onwards, iPad mini and iPod touch fifth generation and later. It was only introduced midyear of 2013 and was commercially available last December 2013.
More stores and establishments such as malls, restaurants, retail stores, among others are adding are iBeacons into their system. This alert nearby customers of their promos and sales, and also makes payment of goods and services a breeze. Almost all technological innovations are for payment and availing of goods and services, iBeacon is not an exception. What if iBeacon could help raise the standards and quality of education not just in the US but all over the globe? What are the ways on how iBeacon can help raise the bar in education?
One way of incorporating iBeacon into education is through the classroom. Through iBeacon the teacher will be able to identify the number of students attending his/her classes and will be able to tell who is absent.
The major downside of this system is that all students and teachers each need an Apple product with iBeacon installed for this scenario to be successful. This system is difficult for some countries to adapt as not all students and teachers can afford an Apple product which is very expensive compared to some phones. But if the Apple Inc. really wants to make an impact with its iBeacon technology, then developing it for the greater good of education would be the best.
However, the drawback of iBeacon in education sector has put a light in a new direction. When we say that it is quite impossible to use iBeacon and apple phone in schools, since schools will not change their ecosystem for this only thing. We can make use of the same phenomenon in corporate sector i.e our offices, factories so and so forth. Skipping the process of marking attendance through biometric ways, punch cards, online markings etc, we can move to a new and innovative way of marking attendance through iBeacons.
Once you enter in your office premises the app will automatically trace the picture and profile of the employee and will mark the attendance and not only attendance, who all joined the meetings, conferences etc. So, If not education, Why not corporate?
