Page 168 - Educational Technology A Primer for the 21st Century

160 9 Learning Space Design

9.4 Smart Learning Environments
9.4.1 Definition of Smart Learning Environments

With the development of ICT in education, researchers have begun to conceptualize
how learning environments can be made more effective, efficient, and engaging on a
large and sustainable scale (Spector, 2014). Smart learning environments (SLE) are
defined as physical environments that are enriched with digital, context-aware, and
adaptive devices to promote better and faster learning (Koper, 2014). With tech-
nology support, smart classrooms become places where teachers and students can
have rich and immerse teaching and learning experiences not previously possible.
Hwang (2014) presented the definition and criteria of SLE from the perspective of
context-aware ubiquitous learning. Hwang (2014) also introduced a framework to
address the design and development of SLE to support both online and real-world
learning activities (Hwang, 2014) with the following principles:
(1) Smart learning environments should integrate a physical environment and a
virtual environment. In a smart learning environment, the perceptual, moni-
toring, and regulating functions of a physical environment are further
enhanced. The application of augmented reality can create a seamless inte-
gration of virtual environment and physical environment.
(2) Smart learning environments should provide better learning support and ser-
vices according to the individual characteristics of learners. Smart learning
environments emphasize the process record, personalized assessment, and
evaluation of effects and content delivery of learners’ learning. According to
the learner model, it plays a significant role in planning, monitoring, and
evaluation in the development learner’s learning capabilities.
(3) Smart learning environments should support on-campus learning and
off-campus learning, formal learning, and informal learning. The learners in
this situation are not only campus learners, but also all people that have
requirements of learning in their work.

9.4.2 Key Features of Smart Learning Environments

In the information age, the classroom environment is changing in ways to optimize
learning with new technologies and alternative pedagogical approaches. The smart
classroom is one of the significant changes in which the intelligence of classroom
involves five dimensions: showing, manageable, accessible, real-time interactive,
and testing (see Fig. 9.8) (Huang, Yang, & Hu, 2012).