Introduction

The Internet of Behavior (IoB) refers to the integration and application of data collected from various sources, including wearable devices, smartphones, apps, social media, and other digital interactions, to understand, predict, and influence human behavior ( 1 ). IoB extends the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) by linking various devices to collect and analyze data, offering valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and desires. Combining behavioral science, psychology, and data analytics, IoB provides organizations with deep insights into customer behavior, allowing for more effective tailoring of products, services, and marketing strategies ( 2 ). In educational businesses, IoB involves collecting, processing, and analyzing the data related to student and teacher/educator behaviors as they interact with educational platforms, tools, and resources ( 3 ). For instance, a smart board might track how often a teacher uses interactive features during lessons, while tablets could monitor students’ engagement levels across various activities. These data can include participation data (e.g., frequency of participation in online forums), performance data (e.g., scores on quizzes and exams), engagement data (e.g., time spent on learning platforms), and biometric data (e.g. fingerprint scans, facial recognition, voiceprints). These insights help teachers understand the students’ learning behaviors, preferences, and challenges, enabling the development of personalized learning experiences and more effective educational strategies.

Benefits and Applications of IoB in Educational Businesses

IoB offers several benefits and applications in education as shown in Figure 1, each contributing to the overall goal of improving learning outcomes through data-driven insights.

Figure 1. Benefits of IoB in Education

Personalization of Learning: IoB plays a crucial role in personalized learning by analyzing data from students' interactions with digital tools and platforms. This data provides educators with real-time insights into each student's progress and learning preferences, allowing them to tailor their teaching strategies accordingly ( 4 ). For example, if a group of students excels in collaborative projects, the teacher can incorporate more group activities into the curriculum. IoB also supports differentiated instruction by identifying the students' preferred learning methods, such as hands-on experiments or case studies, and helping teachers design more inclusive lessons. By tracking behavioral data such as learning pace and comprehension, educators can customize instruction to suit diverse learning styles, thereby enhancing student engagement and promoting inclusive education ( 5 ). For instance, a student who excels with visual aids but struggles with text-heavy materials can be provided with more visual resources to improve his/her understanding and engagement.

Real-Time Feedback and Intervention: One of the key advantages of IoB in personalized learning is the ability to provide real-time data on students' learning progress ( 6 ). Traditional educational methods often rely on periodic assessments, such as quizzes or exams, to gauge student performance. In contrast, IoB enables continuous monitoring through sensors, facial recognition technology, and networked devices like tablets. For example, a blockchain-based online language learning system can track students' daily learning activities and automatically assess their progress. This system not only reduces the workload for teachers but also provides credible and reliable evaluations of students' learning behaviors ( 7 ). This timely intervention helps prevent students from falling behind, sustains their motivation, and contributes to a more inclusive learning environment.

Enhancing Students’ Health and Safety: Wearable devices offer a valuable tool for continuous monitoring of students' health, enabling regular tracking of their well-being ( 8 ). By analyzing physiological signals and behavioral patterns, these devices can help educators detect early signs of potential issues such as depression or self-harm environment ( 1 ). Early detection allows for prompt intervention, potentially preventing harmful behaviors from escalating. Additionally, wearable technology can integrate a student's medical history, providing a comprehensive overview that aids in monitoring the progression of any existing health conditions. In the case of an emergency, the system can send immediate alerts to both school staff and parents, ensuring swift action and support. This proactive approach enhances the students’ safety and fosters a more responsive and supportive education ( 9 ).

Enhancing Collaborative Learning: Collaborative learning involves students working together in groups to achieve common goals, solve problems, or complete tasks ( 10 ). IoB enhances this approach by providing detailed insights into group dynamics and interactions ( 6 ). By monitoring communication patterns and engaging in intensity, IoB helps educators create more effective collaborative environments. For instance, IoB can identify unequal participation within a group and allow educators to intervene early to ensure balanced contributions. This data-driven approach not only improves the quality of group work but also helps students develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving ( 1 , 11 ). Therefore, IoB can benefit both instructors and students by enhancing collaborative learning.

Lifelong Learning and Skill Development: Lifelong learning and skill development emphasize the importance of individuals continuously improving their knowledge and abilities throughout life, extending beyond formal education ( 12 ). Learning can occur in various settings, such as at work, through online platforms, or in daily experiences. The IoB enhances this process by using digital tools and data to analyze human behavior and create personalized educational experiences ( 4 ). IoB tracks individual learning preferences, interests, and engagement levels, allowing it to offer tailored learning recommendations ( 1 ). For instance, IoB can suggest advanced courses, certifications, or career coaching based on an individual’s learning history. Additionally, IoB provides skill-building resources aligned with a person’s career goals, such as online workshops or industry-specific projects ( 13 ). By offering real-time, personalized guidance, IoB fosters a culture of continuous learning, encouraging individuals to update their skills in response to evolving technologies and market demands. This adaptability is crucial for long-term success in today’s rapidly changing industries. IoB also bridges the gap between formal education and employment by identifying emerging trends and aligning learning paths with current professional requirements. This ensures learners stay competitive and equipped with relevant skills, particularly in such fields as artificial intelligence and automation. Overall, IoB empowers lifelong learning, promoting continuous personal and professional development.

Data-Driven Curriculum Development: IoB can help ensure that the curriculum is inclusive and accessible to all students ( 14 ). By analyzing data on how students with disabilities, English language learners, or other special populations interact with the curriculum, developers can identify and remove barriers to learning. This might involve providing content in multiple formats (e.g., audio, visual, text) or designing activities that accommodate various physical and cognitive abilities. Additionally, IoB can help highlight which topics or teaching methods are most effective, allowing for continuous improvement of educational content ( 15 ). By analyzing behavioral data, educators can identify areas where students struggle the most, uncover gaps in the curriculum, and refine teaching materials to address these challenges, thereby promoting more effective learning outcomes. Furthermore, this approach allows educators to adapt their teaching strategies to meet individual students’ needs more effectively.

Smart and Green Classrooms: IoB can contribute to developing smart and green classrooms by managing power and water resources through data-driven insights. Integrating IoB with traditional IoT ecosystems enables the efficient detection and control of energy and water usage, promoting an environmentally friendly campus ( 16 ). Furthermore, IoB enhances school safety by enabling real-time monitoring of movement in crowded areas, such as classrooms and laboratories. For example, NFC technology can monitor classroom occupancy, and RFID tags embedded in students' ID cards can track attendance and other behavioral data ( 17 ).

Improving Student Retention: Student retention is a critical concern for educational institutions, directly impacting the success and sustainability of academic programs. High dropout rates can be costly for both students and institutions ( 18 ). IoB systems can detect patterns that may indicate a student is struggling or disengaged, such as a decline in participation or quiz scores. By identifying these risks early, educators can take proactive measures to re-engage these students and prevent them from leaving the educational system. Analyzing behavioral data allows educators to develop early warning systems, intervention strategies, and support mechanisms that foster student achievement ( 19 ).

Efficient Resource Allocation: IoB enhances resource allocation and reduces waste in educational institutions by analyzing behavioral data collected through connected devices ( 20 , 21 ). These devices, such as classroom occupancy sensors, library management systems, and equipment usage trackers, gather data on how facilities, materials, and technology are used. IoB systems analyze this data to provide insights that help administrators optimize the use of resources. For example, reallocating classrooms based on occupancy data or enhancing library spaces according to usage patterns ensures that resources are used effectively.

Continuous Professional Development: IoB supports continuous professional development for educators by analyzing behavioral data on teaching practices, classroom management, and student outcomes ( 22 - 24 ). This analysis provides personalized feedback and targeted professional development resources, promoting reflective teaching, ongoing growth, and the adoption of evidence-based instructional strategies. For example, if the data shows that a teacher is very effective when using interactive quizzes, but less effective during lectures, IoB can suggest incorporating more interactive elements into their lessons.

Increased Efficiency of Educators: IoB improves efficiency for educators or teachers by automating data collection and analysis, reducing administrative tasks. IoB systems continuously gather and analyze student data, offering real-time insights that allow teachers to focus more on instruction and interaction rather than manual data tracking. Additionally, IoB generates customizable reports, streamlining documentation and optimizing resource allocation. This automation enables teachers to provide timely, data-driven support, ultimately enhancing teaching effectiveness and improving student outcomes ( 15 ).

Conclusion

IoB represents a transformative approach to education by offering tools that enable a deeper understanding of and influence over student behaviors through data-driven insights. Its significance lies in its capacity to personalize learning, enhance student engagement, and support evidence-based educational practices. However, while IoB technology presents substantial benefits and new opportunities to improve teaching and learning outcomes, its implementation is accompanied by several critical challenges. These challenges include privacy concerns, technical complexities, access limitations, and legal and psychological issues. As a result, several unresolved questions regarding the influence of IoB on education remain, highlighting the need for further research. Key areas for future study include: How can IoB technologies be effectively integrated with traditional pedagogical approaches to enhance hybrid learning environments? What are students' perceptions and levels of acceptance regarding IoB applications in their educational experiences? How can IoB tools be designed and implemented to ensure equitable access and outcomes for all students? What are the challenges and best practices for implementing IoB across different educational levels? How can IoB be leveraged to enhance inclusive education for students with disabilities? Finally, how can ethical frameworks be developed to protect student privacy in IoB applications within educational settings?

Authors’ Contribution

All authors contributed to the discussion, read and approved the manuscript, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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