Abstract:

Wearable technologies are web-connected, sensor-embedded devices designed to be worn on the body and record neurophysiological or physical data to improve self-management and increase awareness. Since 2015, wearable technologies are more ubiquitous and affordable, therefore they have increasingly been used in K-12 classrooms, however, the impact on students has not been examined in detail. This paper explores the benefits and challenges of using wearable technologies for K-12 students using a systematic review of the literature. Using the PRISMA approach in conjunction with a thematic narrative analysis, 52 peer-reviewed articles from 2003 to 2019 were analyzed. The articles targetted pre-school, elementary, middle, and secondary school children, special education and autism. Benefits of using wearable technologies for K-12 students included providing students with voice, ownership of learning and reflection, increasing engagement and relevance, improving learning, building social presence, increasing accessibility, and differentiated instruction. Challenges of using wearable technologies for K-12 students included health and safety and altered perceptions of self-worth. Finally, we discuss future research directions to develop improved wearables-based pedagogy, data analysis methods, data ethics, and security policies.

Keywords:

Wearable technologies, wearables, elementary school, middle school, secondary school, learning.