5G networks in universities: Enabling near limitless learning

Today's classroom is a case study on the transformative power of technology on how to help turn universities into smart campuses. From the calculator to video conferencing, advancements in technology continually reshape the educational experience. Some educational technology tools, such as the whiteboard or overhead projector, have greatly enhanced classroom tasks when introduced. Others have truly redefined education—such as the personal computer and the internet, which opened new worlds for students.

Today, having a 5G network offers the prospect of allowing universities to provide learning experiences previously inconceivable. From immersive virtual learning environments and enhanced collaboration to more equitable and safer campuses, deploying 5G networks in universities could help empower educational institutions with the improved connectivity needed to support better learning.

Smart campuses: Using 5G networks to enable a more immersive experience

Deploying 5G networks on campuses could enable educational institutions to help educators revolutionize learning experiences. On a 5G campus, virtual reality can immerse students in multisensory experiences, shifting classrooms from a knowledge transfer model to a rich, smart campus experiential learning environment.

The SAMR model outlines four ways technology enhances or transforms learning: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition.

• Substitution: Technology replaces an analog task (i.e., a digital worksheet)
• Augmentation: A tool substitutes but improves functionality (i.e., the overhead projector)
• Modification: Technology transforms a traditional classroom task (i.e., collaborating on a shared document)
• Redefinition: Technology allows for new tasks never thought possible (e.g., immersive technologies such as AR and VR)

In the virtual world, learning is no longer limited by the four walls of a classroom. In a smart campus, with 5G-fueled virtual field trips, students could walk on the ocean floor, float in space or go back in history. In a simulated operating room, medical students could practice open heart surgery or control a robot to treat a patient remotely.

A 5G campus that incorporates immersive multisensory learning could promise more engagement than traditional lectures. To transport a student to an archeological dig in Africa requires massive amounts of streaming data. Significant buffering can pose issues when students are immersed in virtual military training or exploring a nuclear power plant. The ability of a 5G network to support increased data volumes with low lag (latency) is critical for supporting improved VR and AR experiences. 

A high-bandwidth 5G network can extend the smart campus learning experience to anywhere students and professors have access to it. —The boundaries by using 5G on campus become, in effect, the world.

5G networks in universities can be equitable

One of the promises of next-generation networks is to make the internet more widely accessible. Access to higher-speed internet can mean improved access to telehealth and jobs. Using 5G networks in universities could potentially extend its network to students beyond the campus border, helping to close the digital divide. In the most rural parts of the U.S., less than 70% of households have access to high-speed internet. The lack of digital equity in education affects nearly one-third of public school students in the U.S. Without the need to lay fiber or cables for last-mile connectivity, 5G networks could be a cost-effective solution for expanding internet access in rural areas. In addition to expanding connectivity beyond the campus, 5G networks, where deployed, could provide the bandwidth to boost equity inside the classroom.

Innovative assistive technologies

5G networks in universities could help improve the learning experience for students with disabilities with the speeds needed to keep up and power assistive technologies.

Using extended reality (XR) applications, students can practice real-world skills—such as crossing a street, shopping or social interaction—in a safe, virtual environment. Students needing extra help will benefit from 5G-enabled robots and learning assistants. Using 5G speed, pricey learning experiences such as far-flung field trips and complex science experiments are accessible to many more students in a virtual world.

5G networks in universities can help with collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of work. Learning should be, too. There is no collaboration without connection, and 5G networks can offer connections on par or faster than those with only 4G. Deploying 5G networks on campus could help provide the bandwidth to connect multiple classroom devices (i.e., 3D printers, smart boards, VR headsets, etc.) all at once with low lag—simultaneously connecting with on-campus students (who average having two devices) and remote learners needing a reliable stream from afar.

The immersive learning possible with 5G networks and smart campuses means students might be able to actively participate in the learning form best for them. Whether a student is on or off campus, 5G networks could help ensure that their ability to collaborate with peers isn't hindered by a slow connection.

5G networks and education: More learning, less lagging

The potential impact of a next-generation network on learning—on and off-campus—is enormous.

When connection speed isn't a significant issue, teachers can focus on teaching and not on technology. Learning is an inherently social process, and teachers will always remain central to the experience. Like other educational technology advancements, 5G networks serve to augment a teacher's impact, not replace it. This all translates to more learning and less lagging.

5G networks are not just about faster connection for smartphones. They promise to be a campus catalyst for immersive learning, equitable experiences, seamless collaboration, innovative research, and tighter security.

Do you have the bandwidth for smart campuses and near-limitless learning? Verizon can help you harness the power of secure 5G connectivity on your higher education campus.

FAQs

How will 5G networks affect higher education?

5G technology could have a significant impact on higher education, bringing about various opportunities and advancements that can transform the learning experience on college campuses. Here are some ways that 5G and smart campuses are likely to affect higher education:

• Enhanced connectivity - 5G networks can offer faster data speeds, low latency, and increased capacity compared to previous generations. This means students and faculty could access online resources, virtual classrooms, and e-learning platforms with great ease and efficiency.
• Remote learning and collaboration - 5G can help enable seamless and high-quality video conferencing, virtual lectures, and remote collaboration. Students and professors could participate in virtual classes, attend seminars, and work on group projects with improved real-time interactions.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) - 5G’s low latency and high data speeds make it well-suited for VR and AR applications. Higher education institutions can leverage these technologies for immersive learning experiences, virtual campus tours, and training simulations.
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications - 5G’s capacity to handle a significant number of connected devices can help facilitate IoT applications on campus. Smart classrooms, connected campus infrastructure, and IoT-based research projects could help enhance campus efficiency.
• Campus safety and security - 5G-enabled surveillance cameras and security systems could help improve campus safety by providing near real-time monitoring, better video quality and quick response capabilities.
• Smart campus infrastructure - 5G can help support the deployment of smart campus infrastructure, including smart lighting, environmental monitoring, and energy management systems that could lead to increased energy efficiency and cost savings.
• Real-Time Data Analysis - With 5G’s low latency, students and researchers can access and analyze large datasets in near real-time, helping to enhance data-intensive research and enabling faster insights.
• Extended Reality Education - 5G can help support extended reality applications, which combine VR, AR, and mixed reality. This opens up possibilities for interactive, experiential learning, especially in subjects like engineering, medicine, and arts.
• Remote lab access - 5G can help enable students to access and control laboratory equipment remotely, facilitating distance learning and ensuring equal access to practice learning experiences.
• Mobile learning - 5G’s improved mobile connectivity can help enhance mobile learning initiatives, enabling students to access educational content, digital textbooks, and educational apps with faster download speeds and reduced buffering.
• Innovation in research - 5G’s capabilities can stimulate research and innovation in various fields, from developing advanced communication technologies to creating new applications and services.

How is 5G used on university campuses today?

The widespread deployment of 5G on university campuses is still in the early stages. While some universities and research institutions had begun testing and exploring 5G technology, the full-scale implementation and availability of 5G networks on most university campuses were not yet common. Universities often serve as testbeds for new technologies, including 5G, to explore their potential applications in research, education, and campus infrastructure. For example, some universities have used 5G networks for faster internet, remote learning, virtual classes, IoT applications, research, innovations, campus security, and more. 

The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.