The Smart Classroom: Learning Challenges in the Digital Ecosystem

Abstract

Digital devices are causing the emergence of new learning ecosystems, including the smart classroom. This model changes the pedagogical intermediation paradigm, redefining educational values and principles. The present paper delves into this scenario through the results of a doctoral thesis funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Spanish Government. The research is based on a qualitative approach, involving a field study in four schools in the Valencian Community. The information is collected through the study of the school documentation, in-depth interviews with 23 teachers and participant observation sessions. This information is analysed under the postulates of discourse analysis. The results show that teachers see the smart classroom as an innovative paradigm that facilitates active learning. However, the focus tends to be on technologies, which are assumed to optimise learning. Teachers opt for the implementation of technology-mediated methodologies, such as the flipped classroom, PBL or gamification, but these often operate more at the formal level than at the applied level. Despite this, a learning ecosystem is emerging that is significantly different from the traditional one, involving a change of logic in which digital technologies adopt the centrality formerly held by the textbook or the teacher.

Integrating IT and Sustainability in Higher Education Infrastructure: Impacts on Quality, Innovation and Research

“…Regarding the mediating effects, there is insufficient support for the hypothesis that infrastructure upgrades influence sustainability impact via university characteristics (H4) (T = 1.888, p = 0.059). However, the pathways that traverse these obstacles via education quality improvement (H5) and research output and innovation (H6) are supported (T = 4.703, p < 0.001 and T = 3.575, p < 0.001, respectively), consequently strengthening the previous study (Pardo-Baldoví et al, 2023). The paths leading to Sustainability Impact (H7) and Innovation and Research Output (H9) are supported in the case of Technology Adoption and Utilisation (T = 4.154, p < 0.001 and T = 2.182, p = 0.029, respectively).…”

“…They serve as a conduit for translating infrastructure changes into concrete results, bridging the gap between university improvements and their favourable consequences for sustainability, enhanced education quality and increased creativity and research productivity. This mediation process proposes that the transformative capacity of university upgrades is achieved and optimised through deliberate modifications in teaching methods, emphasising the interrelatedness of infrastructure development and educational progress in promoting comprehensive positive effects within the university ecosystem (Pardo-Baldoví et al, 2023). The above review leads to the derivation of the following hypotheses: H4: University characteristics mediate the relationship between infrastructure upgrades and sustainability impact.…”

Technologies and Innovations in the Educational Process: Experience of the University of the Future

“…The university of future is often related to the smart infrastructure that facilitates innovative teaching, learning, and research, and community engagement (Maciá Pérez et al, 2021). The findings show that the infrastructure components aimed to support advanced technology integration, flexibility, sustainability, and a student-centered approach include smart classroom and technology-enhanced learning space equipped with interactive whiteboards, high-speed internet, and video conferencing capabilities (Pardo-Baldoví et al, 2023); facilities equipped with VR and AR technology for simulations (Zhao et al, 2023); comprehensive Learning Management Systems (LMS) that help to organize a wide range of online learning activities, including course delivery, assessments, discussion forums, and multimedia content (Bradley, 2021). In recent years, more and more scientists insist on development of sustainable infrastructure that minimizes environmental impact, promote resource efficiency (Mykrä, 2023).…”

Bloom’s Taxonomy Student Persona Responses to Blended Learning Methods Employing the Metaverse and Flipped Classroom Tools

“…The use of learning information platforms in higher education has been multiplied and continues to be fueled by the expanding accessibility of video recorders and built-in cameras on computers, tablets, and mobile phones. These digital devices are triggering the emergence of a new learning ecosystem [44]. For these reasons, they have has received increasing attention from both educators and researchers and professionals since the mid-2010s [45].…”