1. Smart classroom: features, prerequisite, importance and advantage
Introduction
Technology having made inroads into education, online learning has come onto its own.
Technology-enabled education is peeping deep into the classrooms, paving a way to smart-
education. Students can learn at their own pace and time and have access to diverse and
engaging content. The concept of smart classrooms is the integration of advanced hardware
and innovative software to enhance teaching and enhance learning. Moreover, smart or
digital classrooms foster creativity, and an interactive environment would help in bringing in
more innovative ideas, more queries, and more solutions. Consequently, there is a
broadening of the domain of knowledge that a person acquires and encouragement in
informal learning.
However, despite the growth of ed-tech in India, the use of content on these platforms
continues to be limited due to gaps in the teaching and learning mechanism and student
needs. A technology-enabled learning environment is not just about devices but also needs
an understanding of the right teaching mechanism to make optimum use of resources.
The traditional chalk and board teaching method has moved to smart classroom system
supported by a seaof audio-video lectures. The concepts that are difficult to understand have
been simplified using various visual and graphic representations making learning more
interesting and interactive.
Smart Classrooms, which are a technology-enabled learning environments where quality
education can be accessed through technology devices and the Internet. A smart classroom
will include interactive displays and other tools like videos and other content medium and
practice exercises to make learning interesting and engaging. The concept of smart
classrooms is booming up in India and helping students to learn better.
What is Smart Classroom?
A smart classroom is a technology-enhanced learning classroom that enhances the way of
teaching and learning digitally. The classroom is integrated with the digital displays, tabs,
whiteboards, assistive listening devices, and other audio/visual components that make
lectures easier, engaging, and more interactive.
2. Smart classrooms are the classroom where technology is being used for the purpose of
teaching and learning. Smart classrooms make use of computers, projectors and even
smartphones for these purposes. They are conducted by a trained teacher using a multimedia
screen, which brings visuals rather than the traditional chalk and blackboard method.
Smart Classroom – Types
Smart classrooms are the classrooms enhanced with technologicalequipment for the purpose
of better learning and teaching. Based on the equipment available smart classrooms can be
categorized as follows:
Basic Smart Classes: The classrooms with basic smart technology include gadgets like laptops
or computers, projector, DVD or VCD player and a viewing screen etc. These are the most
common ones used in schools. It involves projectors, a computer, and a screen. The system
willbe preloaded with lessons that utilize visualand auditory learning. Animations and Videos
are the most common mediums used to convey information. The lessons can be easily
updated according to changes in the curriculum.
Intermediate Smart Classes: The intermediate smart classrooms are one step ahead of the
basictechnology smart classrooms.They include gadgets like asmart podium with the control
panel in addition to a laptop, projector, screen and DVD or VCD player etc.
Advanced Smart Classes: The advanced smart classrooms have all the gadgets of a basic or
intermediate smart classroom, but their features are very advanced, that is, they use the
newest technology.
Learning solutions have evolved and are smarter. There are various types of smart classroom.
They are:
Basic Setup:
These are the most common ones used in schools. It involves projectors, a computer, and a
screen. The system will be preloaded with lessons that utilize visual and auditory learning.
Animations and Videos are the most common mediums used to convey information. The
lessons can be easily updated according to changes in the curriculum.
3. Personal Devices:
On top of the basic setup, students can possess devices like tablets and laptops. Personal
tablets have replaced the simple digital slate because the cost of making is very low now.
Students can take notes, receive material and complete assignments and tests in the same
device. This also saves paper which is a plus for the environment.
Virtual Reality:
By using a VR headset, students can enter a new world or a sandbox.
In a sandbox, the students can do experiments, especially physical ones to learn theories and
incite the brain.
The contents of the VR can also be controlled by the teacher so that everyone experiences
the same. From a DNA molecule to the French revolution can be shown in great detail.
Augmented Reality is used to simulate objects in the real world. This can include holograms
and AR glasses. The technology is in the cradle and is rapidly advancing.
Smart Classroom – Features
It makes abstract concept real.
Visuals and animations that students will never forget.
Activities and games to make learning process easy.
Effective blending of technology with the classroom.
Pedagogically sound and visually rich curriculum resources.
Content is customized as per the school’s scheme of work.
Facility to update the content.
Adaptive learning:
Any classroom will always have students of different types of learning abilities in it which
often makes it difficult for teachers to make sure that all of them understand the concepts.
The modern approach of adaptive learning gives students the freedom to learn at their own
pace and in the way they are most comfortable with.
4. Collaborative learning:
Learning through collaboration is one of the most effective forms of learning. Teaching and
learning in isolation are very restrictive and hinder progress. Learning in groups enhances the
scope of learning and develops critical thinking. Collaborative learning activities include
collaborative writing, group projects, joint problem solving, debates and more. Collaborative
learning redefines traditional student-teacher relationship in the classroom.
Computing devices:
Computers are readily available in modern classrooms, since they are essential tools for 21st
century students and replace the utilities of pen and paper. They give teachers the
opportunity to enhance their lessons and assist them.
Mutual respect:
Teachers and students should always have respect for each other. As now the role of teachers
is no longer to be the sage on the stage, students should not forget their value as they will
always receive guidance from them. Also, teachers should encourage students to speak with
confidence and value their opinions.
Performance-based assessments:
Regular performance-based assessments are carried out by teachers through various
methods which are not restricted to tests. These can be by conducting quizzes and polls.
Student-centric:
In Smart classrooms, teachers play the role of facilitators. They help students think critically.
Students discover and master new concepts. Student-centric classroom environments put
students’ interests first and are focused on each student’s needs, abilities and learning styles.
Students take responsibility of their learning:
As students are encouraged to actively participate in their own learning, they become
responsible for their learning.
5. Students understand and follow the rules and procedures:
The learning environment is carefully planned and well-organized. Class rules, procedures,
and notices of upcoming activities are posted in convenient places to help students stay on
track. Students are constantly encouraged to remind them of their goals and responsibilities.
They follow class routines and understand what they are expected to achieve each day and
how they are to go about it.
There is innovative working system for teachers and in school management:
An attractive classroom environment is needed for such type smart and innovative activities.
Smart school class will be more attractive, innovative, student friendly, healthy and more
interesting class. In a smart class it may possible there to arrange “online classes” by internet.
Smart class is a platform for e smart class and online IT class.
There is fully multimedia enabled audio-visual classrooms :
Smart Class is a Smart concept for Smart Educators of Smart Schools. “Smart Class” includes
Smart Learning Techniques, Smart classroommanagement, Smart Learning environment and
Smart Learning Materials. Internet, projector and other multimedia devices are the main
parts of smart classrooms. Smart class is a class of modern age. There is fully multimedia
enabled audio-visual classrooms in a smart classroom. It will be quite different than
traditional class. In a smart classroom the teacher works as a facilitator in learning.
The upgraded kind of education:
This upgraded kind of education is very interesting for children! it is an innovative idea to
change our boring system into a smart and innovative system of teaching-learning activities.
Smart School:
Smart class is a more fascinating model in the world. In a smart school teachers have to
develop the skill of learning from experiences.
6. Principle of Adaptability
From the idea that every teacher and every class is different, and that space can be adapted
to their needs, the concept of smart classrooms includes the principle of adaptability to the
type and needs of teacher and of each student.
Principle of Connectivity
The concept of connectivity has a twofold character. On one hand it is required that the
learning space has a good network connectivity, both local and global, to use to the most the
potential of mobile devices. Connectivity should be wireless, and this is fundamental to
maximize physical mobility around the space and comfort in using technology. On the other
hand, beyond digital connectivity there exists social and informational connectivity. Through
networks, students live connected to teachers, friends, family, professionals and to a large
number of information sources, both in their immediate surrounding and from distant places.
Principle of Comfort
A smart classroomis a place arranged to comfortably do various activities –reading, watching
videos, playing,listening to music and audios, writing, talking, debating, experimentation, and
so on.
Principle of Flexibility of physical arrangement
The arrangement of a smart classroom and its elements is such that it allows agile and easy
variations in activities, that is, make it possible to change student grouping, the type of
resources being used, use of various types of resources at the same time, ICT and non-ICT, for
different students to carry out different tasks, e.g. searching information, discussing,
watching a video, etc. The classrooms is supplied with varied furniture elements to achieve
flexibility of space arrangement.
7. Principle of Multiplicity
While teaching and learning, the arrangement enable possibilities for creativity, reasoning,
logical thinking, etc., and be adapted as close as possible to learners’ various needs and
learning styles.
Principle of Order / Organization
This is an important principle, even though it is not easy to design, and attain, sustainable
placing, storing, arrangement and rules of use of spaces and resources available. For this
reason teachers carefully consider the order and arrangement of spaces and resources so
that these are the most adequate for the learning activities that will take place in their smart
classroom.
Principle of Openness
This principle relates to the false and rooted belief that learning takes place only in the formal
space in the traditional classroom, where the teacher presents information and gives a lesson
in a transmissive way . Learning takes place beyond the classroomspace, both physically and
virtually, and therefore activities put forward for smart classrooms should consider these
extended learning places and learning times in order to learn beyond the classroom and the
class times traditionally assigned.
Principle of Personalization
Smart classrooms allow students and teachers to personalize their environment according to
their likes and needs. A space which progressively teacher and students should make their
own, personalizing it by means of activities which support and reinforce learning.
Principle of Safety / Security
Smart classrooms have an arrangement which prevents users from having physical accidents
and will also be safe in terms of access to information and communication on the Internet
from the classroom. Therefore security systems will be taken into account when
conceptualizing and designing smart classrooms.
8. In sum, the arrangement, structure, methodologies and principles of smart classrooms intend
that learning experience be as likely as people’s learning ways, preferences and styles, in a
natural way and in a personal space; all this through active participation, experimentation,
collaboration, solidarity, rapport, creativity, leadership, and so on.
