The Spanish experience of future classrooms as a possibility of smart learning environments

Pedro Antonio García-Tudela; Paz Prendes-Espinosa; Isabel M Solano-Fernández

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18577

The Spanish experience of future classrooms as a possibility of smart learning environments

Heliyon. 2023 Jul 22;9(8):e18577. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18577. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Authors

Pedro Antonio García-Tudela^{1

2}, Paz Prendes-Espinosa^{1

2}, Isabel M Solano-Fernández^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ University of Murcia, Spain.
² Facultad de Educación Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100, Spain.

Abstract

Developing advanced technologies and their integration into educational spaces generates new training opportunities. Examples of these are Future Classrooms (FC) and Smart Learning Environments (SLE), two concepts linked to educational innovation through technology but also have their differences. This paper aims to identify the similarities and differences between FC developed in the Spanish formal educational context concerning the theory of SLE. This study follows an exploratory research methodology using an ad hoc questionnaire applied transversally to a representative sample of teachers involved in the SLE (N = 66). SPSS V. 28 software was used. In relation to the results, some statistics (mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness) were used to analyse the developed FC practices and professional satisfaction. In conclusion, the FC are at an initial stage of development in Spain, and although they could represent an approximation to what would be the practical basis of SLE, there are still several aspects to be developed, especially in relation to the technologies used and the dimension of attention to diversity. In relation to SLE technologies, they are related to the automation of certain processes and include artificial intelligence, learning analytics and sensors, among others. On the other hand, these technologies are not widely used in the FC, and the use of other more conventional technological resources, such as interactive whiteboards, online collaborative environments, LMS platforms, etc. In terms of attention to diversity, despite the existence of initiatives to personalise the learning experience in FC, assistive technologies are not considered, nor is automatic personalisation through certain SLE technologies.

Keywords: Educational technology; Future classroom; Primary education; Secondary education; Smart learning environments.