What is SMILE learning concept?

SMILE is  an  acronym  for  simple,  motivating,  interactive  and  learner  centric  environment. SMILE blends the best of both the worlds - classroom learning and network enabled e-learning. Learning theories, models and the science of instruction are embedded in SMILE to create an environment that empowers learners and teachers. SMILE transforms learning and teaching by harnessing technology to implement established learning theories with creativity and innovation. We need to share the SMILE to maximize the knowledge capital and the access to it through collaboration. Learning process would be efficient and effective if the learning environment offers all  the  four  essential  ways  of  learning  namely  -learning  from  teacher,  self  motivated  learning,  social  learning and  experiential  learning.  SMILE integrates the cognitive, constructive, experiential and elaboration learning theories with  motivational  learning  model  to  create  a  learning  environment  that  is  simple,  motivating, interactive and learner centric.  The content design, development and delivery shall be guided by the principles of SMILE which is a  highly  flexible  framework  providing  lot  of scope  for the  teachers,  subject matter  experts and instruction designers to chose a right mix of learning concepts appropriate to the context.

Simple:

Learning with understanding requires the teacher to present and explain the concepts to learners in a simple way, which is easy to understand. This is the most challenging yet interesting competency expected from teacher in an effective learning environment, which facilitates learning without burden and learning with smile. This kind of environment ensures that every student enjoys learning and hence achieves his/her potential. Subject matter explained through simple concepts with different applications in real world encourages schema construction and schema automation for the concepts that are consistent and relevant across varying

situations. The ability to identify similar and relevant features in varying situations yields better schema construction and enhances problem solving skills and knowledge transfer.

Motivating:

Keller suggests that students will be motivated to learn when they perceive some personal value and satisfaction from the effort, and when they expect to succeed. Based on these two principles from expectancy- value theory and extending them, Keller came up with four basic elements of motivational theory:  attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction.  Attention can be gained and sustained through graphics, images, animations, applets, interesting facts and thought provoking questions to stimulate a sense of inquiry and curiosity.  Relevance refers to the alignment of content with the learner's goal, learning styles, past experience and its application in real world situations. Confidence can be accomplished by helping students to experience success through understanding of the concepts and their ability to apply these concepts for problem solving. Satisfaction is necessary for learners to have positive feelings about their learning experiences. The student's satisfaction could be achieved by helping them perform better in their educational institutes while satisfying the quest for knowledge and spirit of inquiry.

Interactive:

Collaboration and interaction among learners is a very important component of effective learning. Simulations, streamed video, project teams, chat rooms, bulletin boards, online references, personalized coaching and email are some techniques that could help create an interactive online environment.  Interactive learning can be stimulating and encourage critical thinking as it facilitates problem solving. E-tools like Flash animations, Java applets promote visualization of concepts and help students gain insights through interactive simulations. Retention can be enhanced through clear understanding of the concepts and their applications in real world situations. Interactive components like applets help the student to actively interact and involve in the process of understanding which stimulates schema construction of concepts and thereby increase germane cognitive load. However the learning outcomes of these visual simulations depend on the level of expertise of learners. Non-linearity in content sequencing of web based learning portals enables interactive, flexible learning through features like keywords, search and explore.

Learner- Centric Environment :

Learning is an active process in which meaning is developed on the basis of experience. Learners actively construct their own knowledge by connecting new ideas to existing ideas on the basis of their experience while structuring and restructuring of ideas  is an essential part of the learning process Learner centric pedagogy gives primacy to learner’s interests, experiences, preferred  learning style and their active participation. The content design should enable learners to construct knowledge from their own experience in their own way and develop multiple perspectives. Learner centric approach also allows learners to learn at their own pace and to engage with concepts, reflect on the underlying cause and effect relations, patterns, similarities and interconnections to deepen understanding. Active engagement involves enquiry, exploration, questioning, debates and reflection, leading to theory building and the creation of ideas. So the focus should be on the underlying principles of how knowledge is created, how it is organized and how it is used and on how learners engage with and reconstruct knowledge.