Lecture Notes for Intelligent Interfaces - Smart Learning Spaces

1. Intelligent User
Interfaces
ICS2208
vanessa.camilleri@um.edu.mt
Dr Vanessa Camiller
i
Department of AI,
University of Malta

2. Topic 6: Overview
• Smart Learning Environments (SLE) & IoT
• Class Activity
• Models for SLE (class based learning)
• SLE for Higher Education
2

3. What is a smart learning environment?
• Smart learning environments (SLEs) are physical
spaces enhanced with digital and context-speci
fi
c
components (sensors and actuators, for instance)
that facilitate better and faster learning. This allows
for hybrid learning approaches that switch between
formal and informal settings, independent and
class learning, varying learning times and places,
and analog and digital learning formats

6. • Human Centred Design
• Learning and Work Methods
• Learning and Corporate Culture
• Smart IT Infrastructure
• Digital and Physical Equipment
• Workplace Architecture

7. Human Centred Design
• User Needs
• User Modelling
• User Context
• User Environment

8. Learning and Work Methods
• Training in media and information
• Explore different learning environments and
scenarios
• Design Thinking
• Personalised learning
• Just in time learning

9. Learning and Corporate
Culture
• Culture of Schools / Learning institutions
• Individual Responsibilities
• Trust & Feedback

10. Smart IT Infrastructure
• Digital agent / assistant
• Knowledge in the cloud and presented to the users
• Universal accessibility
• Dynamic learning
• Facilitated connectivity
• Sensor embedding
• Automation of activities leading to improved environment

11. Digital and Physical
Equipment
• A combination of well designed furniture and
• Technology Devices
• Digital Resources and Software applications

12. Workplace Architecture
• Design for
• appeal,
• comfort and
• multi functionality

13. Class Activity
• Split into two groups
• Group A: Identify a possible smart learning scenario and discuss
the context and users. Identify the steps needed to set up a smart
learning environment to improve the learning experience. How will
you measure this?
• Group B: Identify a possible smart learning scenario and discuss
the challenges which will need to be overcome to address this
scenario. Think about AI and the challenges/dif
fi
culties in
implementing it. You can also mention aspects related to the
design as well as the user experience and the dif
fi
culties that
might be encountered when setting this scenario in practice.
What solutions would you propose?

14. SLE Models
• The centralised model - where the environment carries an
active role in adapting to and shaping users’ behaviour
• Intelligent tutoring systems
• Learning Analytics (PLE)
• The distributed model - where independent intelligent
objects provide dynamic behaviour in a static environment.
• Ambient Intelligence
• Pervasive Computing

15. SLE Models
• Centralised vs Distributed - behaviour in the
environment as a whole vs. Augmenting the
environment with smart components.
• Both models can be blended
• But both models have a
fl
aw: smart environment
does not necessarily lead to smart learning
• Both models do not learn from the learners
(obtaining tacit knowledge and re-using it)

16. SLE Models -
research directions
• Design ways in which dynamic interactions are
created between the environment, the users
(learners) and the objects that are created within
that environment.
• Focus more on the user and learner experience -
by providing an online repository which an agent
can go through and provide a user with a pertinent
list of readings is not going to build a smart
learning environment. It’s what the user is going to
do that will de
fi
ne smartness.

17. The Smart Classroom
• … as smart learning spaces
• Inductive towards creativity and innovation
• Facilitating collaboration
• Facilitate sharing and exchange of ideas in a
fl
exible setting

18. The Smart Classroom
• Architectural Design and Ergonomic Structure
• Functional integration of Technology
• Innovative Pedagogical Methodology

19. Principles of Smart
Classroom
• Flexible Arrangement
• Adaptability
• Comfort
• Multiplicity
• Connectivity
• Personalisation
• Order
• Openness
• Safety/Security

20. The Smart Campus
• Learning spaces across campuses to be:
• Flexible
• Recon
fi
gured
• Bold
• Creative
• Supporting and
• Enterprising

21. The Smart Campus