What are Smart Classes?

Smart Classes use digital technology to enhance the learning process. The various audio and visual aids enhance the learning process and make it more fun. The possibilities are endless. 

Specialized software is designed and optimized to the needs of a specific class, unlike universal solutions. The digital infrastructure enhances the teacher to student and peer to peer communication because data streams are separated and structured. An example of this will be the raise hand feature in video conferencing apps now.

Smart Classes can also educate the students about the potentials of using it. As a result, they will resort to more innovative ideas after school.

A key part of classes in the part were the lectures, this is not the case now. Interactive learning is proved to help students better. Projectors and computers are used to exchange information. Interactive touch screens help the students become immersed.

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In this blog, we will discuss

Why do you need a Smart Classes?

We now know that learning is a cognitive process. The old system of teaching catered only to one type of learning. The visual or solitary learners found it difficult to grasp concepts. But now we have a method to address every specific need to cater to the student. 

Apart from these services, institutions are developing their own software and apps to make the organization and the learning process easier.

Due to the rapid digitization, the transition to online classes in the time of covid19 has been rather smooth. Virtual communities help in better interpersonal communication. 

Information also tends to hold longer with visual aid. 

Smart classrooms allow students to not be present in the class physically anymore. They can also access previous classes from their device making the laborious note-taking task obsolete

Types of Smart Classes

Learning solutions have evolved and are more smarter by the say. There are various approaches you can take when making the school smarter. The budget, the digital literacy of the students all influence it.

Innovations allowed the prices of equipments to go down by a huge bracket in recent times. 

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Here are the various types of Smart Classes

1. The Basic Setup

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 These are the most common ones used in schools. It involves projectors, a computer, and a screen. The system will be preloaded with lessons that utilize visual and auditory learning. Animations and Videos are the most common mediums used to convey information. The lessons can be easily updated according to changes in the curriculum.

2. Personal Devices

On top of the basic setup, students can possess devices like tablets and laptops. Personal tablets have replaced the simple digital slate because the cost of making is very low now. Students can take notes, receive material and complete assignments and tests in the same device. This also saves paper which is a plus for the environment.

3. Virtual Reality

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 By using a VR headset, students can enter a new world or a sandbox.

In a sandbox, the students can do experiments, especially physical ones to learn theories and incite the brain.

The contents of the VR can also be controlled by the teacher so that everyone experiences the same. From a DNA molecule to the French revolution can be shown in great detail. 

Augmented Reality is used to simulate objects in the real world. This can include holograms and AR glasses. The technology is in the cradle and is rapidly advancing.

3. Student Tracking Management

 All the aspects of the school are digitized here. From attendance marking to school bus tracking are in the cloud. This ensures more transparency of information. The students’ performance can also be assessed in real time.

4. Interactive Boards

The old dusty chalkboards are replaced with Smartboards. Now teachers can show visuals, videos etc in the new blackboard. The students can also interact with it with their personal tablets. New tools enable you to present ideas better.

5. Student Devices

 This can help you if you are studying remotely. Services like Google Jamboard can enable multiple people to collaborate in the same whiteboard from separate devices. E-books, pdf and other study material can be sent to the device eliminating the need for books. 

6. Apps

 Hardware side is not the only solution that is needed when it comes to smart classes. The app development should be tailored to fit the wants of your class. Kahoot for example has a very simple, uncluttered layout that younger people will like.

7. Communication Devices

You should use quality microphones (preferably wireless), speakers, and other gadgets to address the whole class more effectively. 

8. IoT (Internet of Things)

Many textbooks now feature links and QR codes to its internet counterparts to give more content to the students. Attendance and progress can be tracked.

Benefits of Smart Classes

  1. Anytime Access to The Expansive World of Online Information

The internet is a treasure trove of invaluable information to students. Storing volumes of data that correspond to any subject under the sun, a smart class can extract the potential of best online resources in teaching and learning.

Most suitable for students who wish to go the extra mile to grasp information that is way ahead of their course curricula, online resources can improve the curiosity and creativity of students.

Teachers can access online information from various educational articles that are published on the net and project the culled information in the form of an interesting presentation.

This way, education will not be restricted to referring to printed material. Online sources will bring in an element of excitement to learning when students can bank on the exhaustive information that is published on the internet.

  1. Digital Tools Help Students Understand The Topic Better

Gone are the days of traditional black-board education. Now is the age of smart classes which allow the faculty to impart education using PowerPoint presentations, word documents, audio sessions, and video screenings and also through images.

A picture is worth a thousand words! In line with this famous maxim, it is through smart classes that students will be able to assimilate all the information that is presented via these instructional tools.

Since the teacher is not writing on the board, students will be able to better concentrate in the class, assimilating audio-visual (AV) information through digital tools like CDs, pen drives and PDF files that will be e-mailed to students.

This pattern of teaching and learning thus avoids the trouble of making notes while the lecture is in progress. Since notes will be provided to them through these modes, they can concentrate better while the class.

  1. A Top Bet for Absentees

Fret no more if you have to miss your smart class for a day. Students of smart classes can access lectures at any time since all of them are recorded on digital devices.

You can simply download the recorded lectures which are uploaded on the internet by keying in your user ID and password and access the study material which was discussed in your absence.

This way, your digital notes will come to your rescue when you miss a day in school; without putting in any extra effort to obtain the same.

  1. Interactive Environment Favors Better Learning

The use of digital tools of instruction brings in an interactive environment to learning. It is in a smart class where better transparency is established between the faculty and students.

Since learning is linked to photos, maps, images, and animated videos, you as a student will be able to establish a strong connection with your faculty. You will be enthused to share your thoughts freely in class, expressing them through writings and drawings.

  1. “Go Green” with Smart Classes

Smart classes are a perfect solution to the environmental hazards that are posed by the conventional methodology of education. You will be creating a “Go Green” zone when you will learn about your favorite subjects without the use of paper and pen.

You don’t need to rely on printouts and photocopiers which lead to the formation of a carbon footprint. This way, a smart class can indeed become an intelligent and workable way to pave way for a greener environment.

  1. A Perfect Option for Students with Different IQs

It takes all sorts of students to make up a class. While some students grasp the concepts in a jiffy, there are others who will need to go through repeated explanations.

In such a situation, smart classes come as befitting learning options. Since you learn via different forms of media, these advanced technologies present an interesting platform for both the teachers and students.

A lot can happen via visual effects of a smart class. These effects bring in a dynamic perspective to education.

Hence, smart classes come in as perfect learning territories for students to assimilate the nuances behind a subject;in a single go or after repeatedly accessing subject details for a clearer understanding.

  1. Ease of Maintenance

Smart classes employ electronic tools which are easy to use and maintain. The use of a digital pen along with other electronic gadgets comes with very low maintenance costs.

It is a one-time investment that you need to make in contrast to the use of chalks and markers which made their strong presence felt in traditional classrooms.

A once-in-a-while service to all these gadgets is all that is needed for your smart class to impart quality education to knowledge-seekers.

  1. Extracting the Best Out of Technology

All thanks to the modern age we are all a part of, smart classes come with a “technology-aided classroom learning” tagline.

It is through the use of technology that you can learn about interesting and novel things. You can employ a number of digital tools in your pursuit of quality education.

  1. A Fillip To Academic Performance

Grades are a barometer to assess the performance of students. It is through smart classes that students will be thrilled to surprise themselves, their teachers and parents with excellent grades.

All thanks to innovative methods of learning, you will be able to clearly understand the topic taught via digital tools.

When the fundamentals of a subject are clearly understood, you can bank on this strength to proceed with the comprehension of difficult sections of the subject.

All these in toto will not only help you master the subject but will also manifest in the form of top educational grades.

  1. The Fun Element to Learning

It is not an exaggeration to quote that a lot can happen in a smart class. A smart class is conspicuous with a bunch of active students glued to various digital gadgets in their pursuit of holistic education.

The class will be a buzz with the inquisitive chatter and interactions between student groups. This inquisitive chatter is what makes learning fun for students.

Sparing you of the monotonous traditional classroom environment, a smart class is evident with enhanced student-teacher interaction; prompted by technological tools.

There can never be a dull moment in a smart class when you will be thrilled to step into your class to learn about various topics; the smart and entertaining way.

After spelling out all the benefits of a smart class, let us now move on to the disadvantages of smart classes.

Demerits of Smart Classes

  1. Cost Concerns

School administrators need to burn a hole in their pockets to keep their school abreast with the latest technologies in teaching.

Every other day, a new version of software emerges and it is not only difficult to keep pace but also fund these resources.

Schools treading the smart classroom path will need to employ a salaried technologist who will again drain the school’s resources.

It is not only about the cost, it is a challenge to zero-in on a modern technologist who can bring necessary changes to classrooms; attuned to emerging teaching technologies and techniques.

Budgetary concerns also arise when schools have to invest in training the faculty since all types of teachers cannot acclimatize themselves to the use of technological teaching tools.

A smart class thrives mainly because of skilled faculty. And when teachers are not trained about the latest teaching technologies, a smart class can lead to the deceleration of learning amongst students.

  1. The Perils of Technology-Based Learning

When technology is applied to learning, the outcome is progressive and entertaining. But, the constant use of electronic gadgets can impair the problem-solving capacity of students.

There can be a situation when you can feel completely lost and helpless when a gadget malfunctions.

Parents of students are a generation behind the technologically-educative student community.

In such a case, they as the all-time guardians of their children will fail to offer any sort of educational assistance. Children of such parents will be at a loss when they cannot bank on their parents to complete their academic projects or homework.

  1. Human Values Take a Beating

In a smart class, electronic teaching gadgets come as teaching tools. Students attuned to learning via smart devices will lose touch with their teachers.

This shift in learning brings down the significance of a good teacher. Students will be glued to computers and laptops; looking at teachers as mere entities in their class.

  1. A Monotonous Learning Process

Notwithstanding the fact that a smart class makes learning entertaining, you will be relying so much on technology that your creative skills will take a beating. A tech-driven class brings in monotony to learning when your smartness and creativity get on to the backburner. Learning will seem a mechanical process when you repeatedly try to employ gadgets that work in a prescribed manner.

  1. Technical Hiccups

The malfunction of an electronic gadget is enough to cause the loss of many teaching hours. Since all these are delicate tools, it takes time and money to get them back to work.

Given such a situation, teachers are forced to return to the conventional blackboard mode of education. And this comes with a great deal of dissent from students who will be unwilling to accept the change.

Such technical faults can dampen the classroom environment, burdening teachers. In such an unforeseen situation, teachers should not only prepare for the topic for the day but also have to toggle between the two modes of teaching.

Wrapping It Up

After enlisting the contrasting aspects of a smart class, it pays to ponder about the ways and means you can make education accessible and enjoyable to every student.

No doubt, there are some disadvantages of smart classes. But when you weigh these demerits against the numerous advantages, you can conclude that smart classes are an apt means to head towards a technology-driven educational system that the modern world is aiming for.

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The school life is undoubtedly the best phase of every person. This is the time when you make new friends, learn about new things in life and importantly lay a platform for the wonderful career ahead. With minimal to no family responsibilities, students can fly freely in their dream world and explore life. However, most of us won’t recognize that it was the best part of their life unless they move into the adult phase and start facing life’s realities. When you are asked the disadvantages of being a student, it is very hard to pick up a few. However, here we are trying to list the many advantages of being a student and the odd demerits that a few students would point out:

First let us have a look at the advantages of being a student:

    1. Study with fun: This is the phase when you can have good classroom experiences and study with fun. Teachers, students and parents can take a collective effort to make this the most enjoyable period when you study novel concepts without losing the fun element. Gamification in classrooms is improving the interest of students in learning and making classes more enjoyable and productive.

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    1. Make new friends: This is the time when you can make new friends of your age but of different gender and culture. This gives you opportunities to think out of your restricted world and be open to other’s feelings and opinions. Studying with your friends in a lively classroom gives you the wonderful feeling of togetherness. It is good to be in the company of many people of your age who are mostly similar to you.
    2. Learn new things: A student gets a chance to explore this open world and learn new things in everyday of your school. Understanding and discovering new things of life with a theoretical support gives you a good feeling and you will start feeling the purpose of your life. Also school life teaches you the significance of discipline, value of friendship, humanity and the quality of sharing and caring. Moreover, the school life experiences can help you to know the importance of giving and taking respect.
    3. Learn from others: Whether it is from teachers or peers, a blessed student can get the gift of learning from others. In fact, you will learn more than just academics if you are part of a good school. A proper school life teaches you many qualities such as time management, communication, organization, prioritization and critical thinking which helps you a lot throughout your life. Also you learn the quality of giving to others. As many scholars have said, the basic habit of sharing starts at school when you share your lunch box with your friends.
    4. Discover the real you: Moreover, you can know or discover the real you when you start experiencing the different phase of life. Once you pass out of the school, the proper education might have taught you what you really want in your life. You will see your growth as an individual and improve your general outlook of the world. A good student life can shape up your character and inspire and motivate you to change the world for a better cause.

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  1. Understand benefits of team work: The cooperative learning is an important learning strategy of the time which is executed through group projects, team activities and group games. This phase helps you understand the benefits of team work which is a really important quality which pays you well in many stages of your life. Schools will have team building activities that enhance different qualities such as patience, mutual support, accepting others’ views and more.
  2. Enjoy healthy competition: Through exams and tests, you can experience a healthy competition with your peers of differing calibre. You can go through the good feeling of winning your peers and at the same time enjoy the spirit of failure. You can learn how to celebrate your wins silently and accept failure as it comes without breaking your heart and peace of mind. This phase also teaches you the importance of hard work, honesty and fair play.
  3. Sharpen abilities and skills: The effort of the teachers and the school authorities help you sharpen your skills and abilities that helps you bring the best out of you. A student will have many skills that include arts and sports. Also a good teacher can engage you with many activities that can challenge your critical thinking, logical reasoning and communication capabilities. A sharp guidance from teachers would help students to push themselves hard to bring out the best in them.
  4. Differentiate good and bad: The timely advices you get from your teachers and parents during your school life lifts you up as a responsible person who knows how to differentiate good and bad things in life. Also the experience you have with other students of different gender and culture helps you to go through the realities of life and makes you capable enough to face it with all courage and confidence. In addition to the knowledge gained from text book lessons, a successful student life improves one’s social and emotional behaviour.
  5. Lay foundation for a good career: The most important benefit of a student’s life is your chance to lay a platform for building up a good career. Teachers and friends would give you good guidance and support to help you set realistic goals and work towards it. The hard work that put in during this phase pays you back when you look to shape up your career.

Even when the disadvantages are only for a minority of student groups, let us take a look at some of the most pointed out ones:

  1. Exam pressure: This is one of the most celebrated disadvantages of being a student. The nervousness and during this phase is a commonly discussed thing. However, wise teaching strategies, advises and tips from teachers helps students to tackle this phase very easily. By continual feedback from teachers and finishing off the lesson preparations well in advance of the exam help them to face exams with good confidence.
  2. Half of day at school: Some students complain of spending half of their day at school. They are finding it hard to find time for their family as they have home works and assignments once they reach back from school too. However, a well organized schedule helps them to balance the study time, family time as well as spend quality time for leisure and relaxation. Students will hate to wear those uniforms during those days and love to wear the dress of their choice. However, once we are out of the school and start facing the hard realities of life, most of us wish to go back to those days when we were wearing the uniforms with lovely peers.
  3. Four walls of a classroom: Being stuck up inside four walls of a classroom is another major complaint many students have when talking about their study life. However, things have changed a lot now and teachers and school authorities are taking serious steps towards the importance of the outside the classroom learning. They are taking students often out to have a study time under the shades of a tree and field trips when they get a chance to interact with the nature and study.
  4. May limit true abilities: Some schools are giving importance and focus to only the text book lessons and syllabus. This type of learning can limit the true abilities of a student. They will have skills and talents in many out of the lesson activities such as arts and sports. It is the role of the school to find the best in them and give guidance and support right from the beginning to help them prosper their abilities.

The teaching strategies followed at the school and the effective use of resources at the organization can play a crucial role in what you gain from your student life. In fact, a student life is not just over once you come out of your school or college. People will learn new things everyday and there would be much more hidden areas to explore even when you are given a 100 years life span. It is good to be a student always and learn and try new things that come your way. It is equally important for you to share the knowledge that you gain in life and accept or receive the knowledge from others despite their age, gender or culture. Applying what you learnt in real life in the best possible way helps you to make the world a better place to live in for you and people around you.

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The life of a student, be it in school or college is indeed a golden period that carries pleasurable memories to cherish. A college student is one who graduates from high school and joins a college that offers him/her an education in the field of electives chosen by him/her. Notwithstanding the fact that a college student should undergo certain responsibilities concerning general behavior and academics, you can avail the following benefits of carrying the tag of a student.

  1. A Carefree Lifestyle

Being a college student entails upon a great deal of freedom. Most of the times, since you are still learning, you don’t have to bother about fending for yourself. You will have the support of your parents and guardians who will offer you both financial and emotional guidance at all times.

All you need to do is to attend classes regularly, submit your assignments on time and concentrate on what is being taught in college. Demanding a certain amount of educational discipline from you, you as a college student will also be taught acceptable behavior with peers and lecturers.

  1. Friendships for Life

College life comes with a lot of attractions. One amongst them is the association you develop with students of different backgrounds, cultures and languages. You as a college student will be spending a lot of time with peers and the ones who appeal to you will become your friends for life.

With age, you will find that the most wonderful times of your life were the ones you spent in the company of your college gang; your bunch of buddies that are more than family to you. Who knows, your college can introduce you to your life partner and bind you into a lifelong relationship that you can be happy about.

  1. College Excursions and Picnics

Recreational college tours come as another attraction to students. At times, you can be sent on industrial tours as well, to understand the real-world scenarios of what is being taught in college. All such activities will not only help you bond well with your classmates but will also instill a sense of confidence teamed with a positive perspective towards life.

Alongside having fun, such educational and entertaining trips do a lot of good in shaping you as an individual.

  1. Talents Are Uncovered

Educational institutions come as effective platforms to unveil the hidden talents in students. Colleges conduct a number of cultural and management fests inviting participants from other colleges to partake in events. Debates, personality hunts, and elocution along with fashion shows and JAM (just-a-minute) games are some of the interesting events of college fests. Through such activities, you will be able to uncover your talents. Either you can demonstrate your oratory skills or your confidence in shining as a model by setting the stage on fire with your charismatic ramp walk.

College students who wish to do something for the society will sign up for noble deeds like charity. There can be others who volunteer to become a part of disaster management courses that colleges offer. These humane acts will seep into the psyche of college students, shaping them as responsible citizens of the state.

  1. Rewards and Recognitions

“And the Best Outgoing Student Award Goes To”. This is a popular phrase that makes every college farewell function very special. College life bestows a number of titles to accomplished students in different areas of specialization. While you can be recognized for your winning spirit with sporting events, there will be others who will be tagged with the innate talent you possess and demonstrate.

It is through these college validations that you try to assess your own strengths and weaknesses. It is a type of assessment that will enable you to better yourself as a person.

  1. Room For Regular Physical Exercise

Your college provides you plenty of opportunities to flex your muscles, playing your favorite sport, to represent your college in inter-collegiate competitions. In addition to this, you can also make the most of the gymnasiums that are attached to your college to build your physical stamina through regular exercises. Some colleges conduct periodic physical education sessions that can provide you with the much-needed stamina to counter internal and external challenges.

External challenges can come in the form of safeguarding yourself from physical pains that can be inflicted on you. Exercise comes as a solution to tackle mood swings and feelings of loneliness that are the intrinsic challenges common to college students. Regular exercise makes college students happy and healthy.

  1. Opportunity to Select And Ace In Your Majors

After passing out from high school, you step into a college to equip yourself with professional skills. All in an attempt to make you job-ready, colleges not only provide the much-needed guidance to ace in the major you have chosen but also prepare you for the long haul. Your choice of subjects will not only provide scope to assimilate holistic information but will also become your means to employment after you graduate.

  1. Scholarships – A Motivator For Academic Excellence

College scholarships enable students to pay for their education on the strength of their consistent academic performance. You will be eligible for an award if you demonstrate a good educational standing throughout your entire course. Potential target employers scouting for talented and hardworking college students can announce scholarships to the students who are good in their academics with an intention to eventually hire them.

While some scholarships are given out to college students based on their elective subjects, sports scholarships are other incentives.

  1. Financial Discipline

While you can be at the receiving end of generous scholarships, you as a college student will learn the principle of effective money management. You will learn to spend money only on essential things in contrast to wasting dollars on unnecessary stuff that will burn a hole in your college budget.

Alongside helping you lead a simple life, college students will develop a sense of saving. Driven by a move to reduce your cost of living, you will think of ways and means to put money aside for emergencies. This financial discipline learnt during college days will set the stage for you to become an employed individual capable of managing finances in the best possible manner.

  1. Scope To Appreciate The Tiny Yet Beautiful Things

Some of the colleges are set up in beautiful environs. Students associated with colleges surrounded by captivating greenery will develop a strong attraction towards nature and its bounty. It is this appreciation towards the things others take for granted makes observant students stand apart from others.

Just to break the monotony, you can enjoy a stroll around your college campus and shake hands with the fresh air and flora that makes your college life exciting. Observation of your surroundings does a great deal of help to you when you identify places of interest within the territory of your college.

Key Takeaways

College students, preparing to become a part of the corporate world will not only learn to set goals for themselves but also to find ways and means to accomplish them. It is this ability that makes you an independent individual capable of taking any challenge that life throws at you. For this transformation to take place, you as a college student should make the most of the academic and extra-curricular activities that your college administration brings to your table.