In today’s educational landscape, the concept of smart classrooms transcends mere physical environments. While advanced tech integration like interactive displays, virtual reality, smart learning gadgets, creates an engaging learning environment – the true essence of a smart classroom lies in its holistic approach to education. Effective educational technology encompasses not only the tools and infrastructure but also building technological savviness among both students and educators.
Technology is playing an increasingly important role no matter what domain or function our children may find their vocations in – sciences, healthcare, art, humanities, business, education, engineering, research and so on. It’s vital that children learn how to understand and use it for a diverse set of purposes (beyond just coding or scratch/python programming – which may not be every child’s cup of tea and which could be replaced by AI.)
With the advent of generative intelligence tools, skills like coding are becoming increasingly commoditized, whereas computational thinking (structured, logical thinking) and creative problem solving are increasingly proving to be vital, foundational skills to take on the challenging and lucrative problems of the new world. Higher order skills useful for product and services development in various domains are more needed now than ever before.
In keeping with our core purpose of ‘Empowering Learners Realize Their Full Potential, Ignite Change And Create Positive Impact,’ over the last two years, Inventure Academy has been taking significant strides in the field of tech integration in its teaching and learning approach – both for its students and teachers. In a world that is making speedy headways in the fields of AI, machine learning and various other technological advancements, we realize that it is imperative that education and technology go hand in hand to ensure that students as well as teachers are both tech savvy as well as responsible and equally discerning in the way they learn about and adopt various learning technologies.
Over the last two years, we have taken a number of initiatives to ensure that Inventure Academy remains ahead of the curve when it comes to providing quality education to its students. This has helped us to be ranked as No.1 in India, Karnataka and Bangalore (Education World, C-Fore survey 2023) as we have mindfully integrated cutting edge learning technologies in the classroom while focussing on real-world projects. Sharing some of our initiatives:
- Most of our classroom spaces are equipped with smart boards with interactive displays, projectors and sound systems that allow for more learner engagement and motivation – in class and supports hybrid learning.
- Another example of how Inventure Academy integrates learning technology in the classrooms is through our learning management software Canvas that allows teachers to ensure that students can access subject-specific learning materials anywhere and at any time.
- For our Middle and high school students, teachers use our LMS Canvas to create personalized learning pathways using Mastery Pathways and Prerequisites for students to ensure learning is differentiated and effective for all students based on their learning styles and needs. Moreover, this gives parents visibility into how their child is progressing through the term so they can provide the required support and intervention back home.
Integrating technology in the Curriculum
- Inventure Academy offers Computer Science as a part of its curriculum for students from grade 1 all the way through grade 12 at AS and A levels. Over the years, we have offered an integrated computer science curriculum which consists of grade appropriate strands of Digital Literacy and Computing – building around the Cambridge prescribed curriculum.
- We are currently in the process of a three-year redesign of the Computer Science Curriculum in consultation with industry experts and long-time Inventure collaborators, Rahul Kulkarni and Vihari Komaragiri,, ex-Googlers, who among other innovative endeavors, train and mentor professionals in taking on ambitious projects and careers across various domains.
- As part of the current redesign, we are moving around a few of the more theoretical, Examination Board-required modules to later grades and are introducing useful, highly relevant and engaging concepts, and hands-on, activities and projects in the earlier grades. The focus of this exercise is to ensure that all students gain the skills they would need to engage with CS, AI/ML irrespective of their subject choices in High School.
Integrating Technology in Project based learning
- Our high school students are actively engaging in tech-based projects called ‘Tech for Change’- under the umbrella of the Choice Project Program – that utilize computational thinking and programming skills to address real-world challenges within their school and community. This hands-on, project-based learning approach not only fosters creativity and collaboration but also ignites a passion for technology careers as students prepare for college and beyond. Through these projects, students explore various facets of technology and artificial intelligence, considering critical aspects such as user experience, design, ethics, and safety that they use to address problems that they see in school. This includes developing inventory management programs for the cafeteria and automating lost and found items in school.
- We also believe that we should raise the tide for all and our students engage and support students in RGHalli government school that we have adopted. Their support has given them access to coding and programming skills
Upskilling teachers in effectively using Technology:
- In India, most teachers are still playing catch up when it comes to educational technology. The pandemic years may have played an important role in providing a not-so-gentle nudge to teachers in becoming tech savvy if they wanted to retain student attention online and in many cases even their jobs. That said, for a large number of teachers – who themselves are products of a tech free education system – this is a steep learning curve that is difficult to surmount without adequate training and the willingness to learn.
- In keeping with our approach of Design with Empathy, we are upskilling our faculty of how to use various AI tools through self-paced video modules. This is to allow teachers the time and bandwidth to forge stronger connections with students in-class through focused coaching and mentoring – all of which are critical for high student achievement at the K12 level.
Technology Tools
Currently our teachers are using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Flint and Brisk Teaching to enhance their teaching effectiveness and student engagement. These platforms facilitate the creation of rich educational resources and robust assessments, allowing educators to design differentiated and tiered assignments tailored to diverse learning needs. For instance, Brisk Teaching enables teachers to generate lesson plans, quizzes, and provide targeted feedback efficiently within familiar tools like Google Docs and Slides. Additionally, interactive platforms like Padlet and Quizizz are being utilized for quick checks on student understanding, enabling ongoing assessment of learning
In the pipeline
- Over the next few months, we are set to launch several other innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing education through technology. One of the primary initiatives involves drafting a comprehensive AI policy for both students and faculty. This policy will emphasize the importance of ethics and responsible technology use, ensuring that all stakeholders understand how to engage with AI tools responsibly and effectively.
- Additionally, the school plans to conduct workshops for teachers focused on prompt engineering and leveraging AI to improve teaching methodologies. These workshops will equip educators with the skills needed to integrate AI into their lesson plans, ultimately fostering a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for students. Through these initiatives, the school aims to create a framework that not only embraces technological advancements but also prioritizes ethical considerations in education.
These initiatives are supported by a robust cybersecurity infrastructure along with wellbeing sessions for students on online safety and responsible internet use. Our approach to smart classrooms and preparing students for life includes a mindful integration of technology, smart classroom tools and age-appropriate approaches to teaching and learning that develops the key facets of our Definition of Learning – critical thinking & intrinsically motivating learning that helps our learners to become changemakers in their circle of influence.
FAQs
What is a smart classroom?
A smart classroom is a rich educational environment that effectively integrates technology to enhance and support teaching and learning experience. Smart classrooms utilize a variety of digital tools like interactive whiteboards, projectors, tablets, laptops, and educational apps to create a more engaging and interactive learning experience for students.
By incorporating multimedia elements like videos, animations, and images, smart classrooms aim to improve student engagement, facilitate better understanding of concepts, and boost academic performance. Smart classrooms are designed to provide a more immersive and collaborative learning experience that prepares students for the digital world
How does technology benefit students in a smart classroom?
Smart boards have built in lessons and resources that can support learning. Along with teachers leveraging AI tools and students using technology under guidance, technology becomes a lever for change.
What types of technology are used at Inventure Academy?
Besides having Smart classrooms with interactive boards and technology to support hybrid learning, we use a Learning Management system to support learning and a Student Management system to report on student learning. We use data from assessments and feedback from our stakeholders to ensure that our learners’ needs are evaluated and gaps are addressed meaningfully. We are also exploring AI tools that we can use in the classroom to support teachers as they guide student learning.
How is technology integrated into daily lessons at Inventure Academy?
At Inventure Academy, teachers use technology right from the time they design their lessons using AI tools like Brisk Teaching, Diffit, ChatGPT and Gemini. In the classrooms, teachers use interactive tools like Quizzizz, online videos and Padlet to engage students in learning in the classroom. We also use programs like Mindspark for Math(Grades 1-8) and RAZ plus for reading (Grades 1-3) to support learning. Smart screens with interactive displays allow students to demonstrate their thinking to the class and work more collaboratively with their peers. Many grade-appropriate tech platforms are also used for conducting quick check for understanding tasks as on-going assessments.
How does educational technology improve learning outcomes?
Our Learning Management System Canvas and other tools help us to focus on gaps in student achievement and help teachers to offer need based support. Tools like FLINT also serve as tutors as they help students learn through meaningful prompts and guided support.
What future technology trends are expected in education?
Smart classrooms will become AI enabled and use virtual reality more intuitively to support learning. Learning is more about sifting through information, understanding bias and positing ideas that can be substantiated with authentic evidence. Helping learners navigate this landscape by leveraging technology, AI/machine learning will be key to developing citizens of the world.
Yeshwanthpur