Abstract
Wearable technologies can gather data—from the body of the wearer or from the environment—or provide information, or both. Wearables represent an evolution in our relationship with computing and hint at a future of ubiquitous connectivity where the furnishings of our everyday life are imbued with sensors, processors, and information displays. Inconspicuous wearable devices could change the landscape of educational computing. Wearable cameras, for instance, allow a learner to engage simultaneously as observer, reporter, and participant. As the things we own and wear acquire sensors, process data, and connect us beyond ourselves, they open new opportunities for us to see further, hear differently, and touch things we have never been able to reach, enabling a new self-awareness and an enhanced perception of the world around us.
The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.
In addition to the 7 Things briefs, you may find other ELI resources useful in addressing teaching, learning, and technology issues at your institution. To learn more, please visit the ELI Resources page