US University Puts Electronic Assistants in All Student Housing
Saint Louis University recently announced it will equip every student housing room with a digital assistant.
David Hakanson is the University’s vice president and chief information officer. He said: “Every minute we can save our students from having to search for the information they need online is another minute that they can spend focused on what matters most: their education.”
Officials said the university will be the first in the world to put the devices in every student living space. The Amazon Echo Dot is a speaker with the ability to listen and “talk” to users and can perform some tasks. Students will not have to pay to use them.
These devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. They can be used to look up information, play music, order food or buy things on the internet. They can also turn lights on and off, and control heating and cooling systems.
The Echo Dots will include a special skill made especially for Saint Louis University. It will give information and answer questions about local school activities and campus life.
Next year, the university will add more skills, such as giving information about classes and grades.
Many educators believe that learning to use digital assistants can help students improve their skills and prepare them for future jobs.
Hakanson said this project will help students who are “highly driven to achieve success in and out of the classroom.”
