Smart Learning concepts to enhance SMART Universities in Africa By Walter Mambodza Mtech Information Security and Cyber Forensics Harare Institute of Technology Harare, Zimbabwe

Smart learning Is concerned with context-aware ubiquitous learning. Ubiquitous-present everywhere, all over, worldwide, global, universal Contexts include the interactions between learners and environments. Therefore, smart learning environments can be deemed technology- supported learning environments that implement adaptations and provide appropriate support in the right places and at the right time on the basis of individual learners’ needs. These needs may be determined by examining learning behaviors, performance, and the online and real-world contexts in which learners are situated

Smart learning aims at providing holistic learning to students using modern technology to fully prepare them for a fast-changing world where adaptability is crucial.

Framework of a smart learning environment.

Smart university  Smart university is an emerging and rapidly evolving area that creatively integrates innovative concepts; smart software and hardware systems; smart classrooms with state-of-the-art technologies and technical platforms; smart pedagogy based on modern teaching and learning strategies; smart learning and academic analytics; as well as various branches of computer science and computer engineering

Example of a Smart University Platform

Conditions necessary for Smart learning Smart education Smart classes Smart technology Smart environment Policy

Attributes of Smart learning

Detects and takes into account the real-world contexts Yes Situates learners in real-world scenarios Adapts learning content for individual learners Adapts the learning interface for individual learners Adapts learning tasks or objectives for individual learners Provides personalized feedback or guidance Provides learning guidance or support across disciplines Provides learning guidance or support across contexts (e.g., in classrooms, on school campuses, in the library, and on the street) Recommends learning tools or strategies Considers the online learning status of learners Considers the real-world learning status of learners Facilitates both formal and informal learning Takes multiple personal factors and environmental factors (e.g., learning needs, preferences, schedules and real-world contexts) into account Interacts with users via multiple channels (e.g., smartphones, Google Glass, or other ubiquitous computing devices) Provides support to learners with “in advance adaptation” across real and virtual contexts Provides support to learners with “on the run adaptation” across real and virtual contexts

Technologies facilitating smart learning Mobile devices e.g. smart phones, tablet Wireless communication networks Sensing technologies (e.g., RFID, GPS and QR codes) Augmented Reality (AR) Virtual Reality Computer vision Speech recognition Cloud computing Internet of Things (IoT)

Smart Learning Concepts Smart Active learning Smart Hybrid /Blended learning Self –regulated learning Smart Community engaged and Service learning Collaborative learning Virtual Instructor-Led Training Simulation-Based Learning Adaptive Learning Social Learning

Benefits of Smart learning Anytime Access to online information Digital tools aid students in understanding Allows students to catch up if absent Students can learn and grasp concepts at desired pace(flexibity) Relatively easy to assess and grade students Students can learn while having fun Promotes interactive learning Allows the ease of technology integration

Challenges of Smart learning Connectivity issues (internet) Highly cost effective Dependency syndrome on technology Impair problem solving capacity of students Technical challenges e.g malfunctioning of electronic gadgets Efficient infrastructure

Conclusion Smart learning concepts enhances smart universities in that it enables students to participate in the learning process and promotes self study which boosts the grades of students thereby allowing demonstrations and clarifying complex issues.

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