With high-tech powerhouses like Samsung and LG to its name, Korea has become a global hub for cutting-edge technology. With a chance to build a brand new facility in 2014, KDI School was able to incorporate some advanced technological elements throughout the campus.

The Globe took a closer look at some of those high-tech features that affect the daily lives of students including the new Central Library mobile application which functions as a control tower for life at KDI School as well as other high-tech services such as the e-attendance system, class seat assignment, high-tech book library with moving book shelves, book sanitizers, dual projection system, lighting boards, e-pay system, heating toilet seats, and (perhaps most interesting of all) built-in intelligent audio-players inside the toilets that give you some peace of mind when you’re taking care of business. With so many new features, finding your way around them not only saves the students much needed time, but also relieves stress.

KDI CL application

Once you’ve logged in, what appears is a diverse range of cool features of the app granting you access to KDI School’s digital world; the on-line library, e-pay system, notice board for KDI School announcements, contact information for KDI School faculty, and library seat assignment. Additionally, the app has a QR code that students can use in the absence of a student ID card.Let’s begin with the Central Library (CL) app. The CL app is a multi-purpose software that allows you to access several key functions at KDI School. To install, simply go to your Google Play Store or App Store, type in ‘KDI CL’ in the search screen and download “KDI CL.”  Then, login in with your student ID number and password.

e-Attendance system

What then, is the role of a Class Assistant (CA)? The introduction of this system should not be mistaken for having replaced the role of CAs. With a possibility for students to mark their attendance without actually attending, the CA’s job in this regard is to work together with the system and double check who has attended and who hasn’t using a traditional class roster. To avoid students from lining up to use the system just before class, the machine automatically opens 20 minutes before a class session and it takes less than one minute to use.Classes at KDI School usually allocate 10~20 marks of the final grade as class attendance marks. Missing class without a legitimate excuse results in a penalty so attendance can be a critical element. To ensure a flawless class attendance system, the School has installed the e-Attendance kiosks outside every classroom. The kiosks house an automated attendance system specifically developed to manage the administration of class attendance in such a way that no errors can be made. The system allows the user to mark their own attendance, choose and change their seats.

How does it work? Students can swipe their Student ID cards on the e-Attendance kiosk, touch on any unoccupied seats appearing on the screen usually in white and brown if occupied, and touch the “ok” button on the pop-up screen.

Classroom environment

Once in class, students are in high-tech heaven. Each classroom features a central console that controls the computer, projection systems, audio and video output. Key functions can be accessed with just a touch of a button so anyone can use sophisticated functions without having to learn the functions in advance. In particular, the dual projection system installed inside classrooms enable professors to put up two entirely different screens simultaneously. For instance, a video clip can be played on one screen while a power point slide can be put up on another. This makes for a more engaging and dynamic learning experience for students.

Comprehensive Library

On the other hand, the School’s library has been pampered with new cool technology of its own with a book capacity of over 5,000 hard cover books, magazines and journals. New 30 mobile racks have re

placed the old stationary model that had a book limit of only 3,500 printed books. At the press of a button, the shelves move to display a range of book choices. Furthermore, the KDI (research institute) library features a book sanitizer, allowing the reader to not only acquire knowledge from their favorite book, but do so in a germ free manner.

Peaceful Toilets

Moving onto something that affects us on a daily basis, the School has high-tech toilets designed for the convenience of the KDI School faculty, staff and students. The toilets are wired with a seat heating system, automated cleaning functions (bidet), and some high-tech sensors. But that’s not all. Some of the School’s toilets come with built-in motion sensing audio-players that play classical or acoustic music specifically designed to give users some much needed peace of mind.

These high-tech features certainly make for a more convenient experience on campus. Although, a word of warning. You get used to them, it could make for a difficult adjustment without them.

Chiindi CHIPUTA (2015 MDP, Zambia)