Smart Classroom

Introduction

Technology having made inroads into education where 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 sea of 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.
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 Class Features

1. 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.
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 adaptability to the type and
needs of teacher and of each student. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Students take responsibility of their learning:

As students are encouraged to actively participate in their own learning, they become
responsible for their learning.

6. 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.

7. Innovative working system for teachers and in school management:

An attractive classroom environment is needed for such type of 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.

8. Comfort

A smart classroom is a place arranged to comfortably do various activities –reading,

watching videos, playing, listening to music and audios, writing, talking, debating,
experimentation, and so on.

9. 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 are supplied with varied furniture elements to
achieve flexibility of space arrangement.

10. Multiplicity
While teaching and learning, the arrangement enables possibilities for creativity, reasoning,
logical thinking, etc., and be adapted as close as possible to learners’ various needs and
learning styles.

11. 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.

12. Safety / Security

Smart classrooms have an arrangement which prefers users safety in terms of access to
information and communication on the Internet from the classroom. Therefore, security
systems will be considered when conceptualizing and designing smart classrooms.

In general, the features 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.

Smart Class – Prerequisite

The prerequisite for the smart classrooms is:

 Computer or Laptop: A computer or laptop is a basic and necessary requirement of a

smart classroom. Instead of writing on board with a chalk or marker, teaching process is
done by presentation or images or multimedia in a smart classroom.
 Projector: it is an optical device. It projects stationery or moving objects onto a screen.
They create an image by shining light through a transparent lens or by a laser.
 Screen: It is a surface used to display the images projected by a projector. The screens
may be rigid wall-mounted screens, pull down screens, fixed frame screens, electrical
screens, switchable projection screens, or mobile screens.
 Microphone: it is generally called as mic or mike. It is a device which converts audio
signals into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted, amplified or recorded.
 Amplifier and Speaker: These are the electronic devices which are used to increase the
volume of a sound.
 Podiums: it is a platform usually made of wood which raises the person standing on it
so that he becomes visual to all the audience.
 Document Camera: They are also called as visual presenters, visualizers, digital
overheads. They are used for displaying an object to a large audience. A document
camera magnifies and projects the images of a two dimensional as well as a three-
dimensional object. The object is simply placed under the document camera. The
camera takes its image and produces its live image by using a projector.
 Smart Podiums: They are also called smart boards or smart LCDs. It is an interactive pen
display which can be connected to the computer or laptop externally via the USB port
or RGB ports. It can be called as an external monitor with the facility of digital inking.
With a smart podium, we can open documents, presentations, multimedia files and can
write on them with a digital pen. We can also save our work.
 DVD or VCD Player: There are many videos available on the internet but still there is a
requirement of VCD or DVD player because there are some videos which have copyright
and must be purchased. These are often in the form of DVDs or CDs.
 Overhead Projector: It is a device which is used to display enlarged images of a
transparent acetate sheet placed on its based on a screen. This device was very famous
a few years back, but now it is being replaced by computer-based projectors.

Importance and Advantage of Smart Classrooms

A smart classroom can play a significant role and are playing as many schools as possible
and institutes have started smart classrooms on their campus, With the use of smart
classrooms, higher management can easily notice the result in a child’s productivity.

Access to online information:

Technology tools allow learners to easily access a rich database of online resources.
Teachers can use the wide variety of online information sources such as knowledge
databases, online video and news items to reinforce their lessons. Learners can also quickly
access the wide range of powerful tools and resources to conduct.

Allow for connectivity in different location:

Interactive technology tools allow for connectivity in different locations, making ideal
collaboration and distance learning environments. When using technology tools, student
show to increase student-to-student collaboration and increase overall participation in the
lesson.

Better understanding:

With classrooms turning into smart classrooms, students are also getting smarter! Big
chunks of paragraphs are being replaced with pie charts, bar graphs and images and the
theory “A picture is worth a thousand words” is coming to life. Students will find it easy to
engage with lessons and gain a better understanding of the overall subject concept. It is an
ideal tool for any classroom setting.

Bridge the urban/rural divide:

The smart classroom creates another opportunity to bridge the urban/rural divide by
exposing students to technology in a classroom setting. This allow children and teenagers to
experience technology that they may not otherwise be exposed to in a rural, small-town
setting.

Countless resources for making learning more fun and effective:

From apps to organizational platforms to e-textbooks and more, there are many amazing
tools that help both students and professors alike collaborate, share ideas, stay organized,
and more to get the most out of learning.

Can automate a lot of teaches tedious task:

There are engagement tools like that can automate grading for you and keep track of
student performance. Similarly, tools can help him streamline grading for writing
assignments, discussions, and participation, and answering common student questions. The
class has instant access to information that can supplement their learning experience.

Environmentally friendly:

Interactive technology tools are also environmentally friendly. They offer teachers an
entirely different way of presenting information to students, which eliminates the need for
writing, printing or photocopying. Which, contribute to eliminate wastage from over-
utilization of paper and ink.

Enhanced teaching/learning experience:

Technology tools provide new ways for teachers to teach, and for student to learn. These
tools support a wide variety of learning styles. For instance, visual learners can watch as
their tutors use the technology tools to project visual elements, whereas audio learners
can listen and have discussions. On the other hand, the Boards come with touch screen
capabilities that allow tactile learners to touch and interact with the board.

Increased exposure and wider access to information:

With internet access, students are provided with great exposure as they are given a chance
to think and feel outside their bubble. They come in terms with what is happening in the
world and perhaps even try to change the wrong.

Improved student engagement:

Students who hardly raise their hands in class or the back benchers who are usually
sleeping, now look forward to learning something new as these modern age tools are more
relatable to them. By fostering discussions and surfacing new and out of the box ideas,
technology also helps improve the student- teacher bond.

Provide rapid assessment:

In addition, the technology tools provide for rapid assessment whereby learners can
receive immediate feedback. Teachers and students can identify individual strengths and
weaknesses in various subject areas and isolate areas/topics that need more focus or
review. Thus, smart board helps to increase the involvement of the students in learning.

Provides Flexibility:

Interactive technology tools allow many different forms of media – including photos,
illustrations, maps, graphs, games, and video, to be displayed. These tools help to expand
the nature of content that can be used in learning. It makes learning to be more dynamic as
the different forms of presenting information are readily available.
Students can learn life skills through technology:

Creating presentations, learning to differentiate reliable from unreliable sources on the

Internet, maintaining proper online etiquette, and writing emails; these are all vital skills
that your students can learn in the classroom and master before graduation.

Technology Integration:

Technology tools allows for integration of various technologies in order to improve the
learning experience. For instance, it is possible to attach tools such as microscopes,
document cameras, cameras or video cameras to a whiteboard to aid in instruction. It is also
possible to integrate the interactive learning tools with a wide range of software
applications.

References:

http://www.vkmaheshwari.com/WP/?p=2352

Smart Classrooms | Advantages And Disadvantages | Eduxpert

Smart Classrooms | Categories | Equipment | Merits | Demerits (targetstudy.com)

The Importance of Smart Classes in Redefining the Education System | NASSCOM Community | The
Official Community of Indian IT Industry