Examining the Use of Wearable Technologies for K-12 Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Wearable technologies such as smartwatches, smart clothing, smart glasses, fitness trackers, and brain senor headbands are wireless body sensors designed to record physiological and physical data.  Since 2015, their use has increased in K-12 classrooms, but a comprehensive investigation of student impact yet to be conducted.  In this paper, we conducted a systematic review of the literature focussing on the benefits and challenges of using wearable technologies for K-12 students.  Using the PRISMA approach and a thematic narrative analysis, we analyzed 29 peer-reviewed articles from 2003 to 2019. The 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.  The challenges of using wearable technologies for K-12 students were health and safety as well as diminished perceptions of self-worth. Finally, we explored future research directions for wearable technologies in K-12 classrooms, including improved wearables-based pedagogy, data analysis methods, data ethics, and security policies.