The opportunities of 5G for creating advanced learning environments for schools and business

Abstract

5G networks are increasingly being deployed worldwide. The new generation technology enables significantly faster data rates and lower latency. Furthermore, 5G provides multiple use cases and enables advanced learning environments for schools and thus studying more efficiently and meaningfully. Opportunities for creating advanced learning environments were tested during the research project, where the researchers attempted to discover pedagogical opportunities for the new technology. The research project was implemented with Elisa in cooperation with the cities of Turku and Helsinki.

The study was conducted as a quantitative one since quantitative research was considered the most appropriate and effective method to gather information from a large pool of students and teachers. All 114 responses received were managed anonymously.

This thesis aims to explore the opportunities of 5G and its benefits for advanced learning environments and present advanced learning methods where a 5G connection can be utilized. Moreover, this thesis examines using video in learning contexts and the situations where video is a useful tool. The thesis’s theoretical framework supports the research results.

Based on the results, most respondents felt positive toward the experiment, and 360-degree video was considered an alternative teaching method. Since this experiment was the world’s first 5G-based 8K 360-degree live video project, the results were excellent. While 5G is constantly being advanced, many use cases that could be utilized in the future have already been found.