Smart Campus and Student Learning Engagement

Smart Campus And Student Learning Engagement

With the rapid evolution of smart technologies and the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), many campuses are now realizing the importance of these advancements in optimizing student and faculty engagement (Anagnostopoulos et al., 2021). The number of IoT connected devices is expected to skyrocket to over 75 billion by 2025. Campuses across the nation are witnessing the integration of connected devices, cameras, sensors, and smart technologies, leading to the emergence of what we now refer to as a “smart campus” (Dong et al., 2020; Sneesl et al., 2022).

A smart campus is a learning environment that allows students’ learning and teachers’ teaching to be fully conducted on the basis of science and technology. It consists of all-round intelligent construction, which mainly includes a smart teaching environment, smart teaching resources, smart teaching services, and smart campus management (Huang et al., 2012; Zhou et al., 2022). The utilization of digital technology in education opens a realm of possibilities.

China, with its vast population and rapid technological advancements, has emerged as a global leader in digital technology and innovation. In recent years, the country has exhibited remarkable enthusiasm for adopting digital solutions across various sectors including education (Song & Li, 2018). The implementation of smart campuses and the utilization of digital technology in Chinese educational institutions hold significant potential for transforming the traditional educational landscape and creating innovative learning environments. Nevertheless, implementing smart campuses and efficiently utilizing the technology in the Chinese educational context presents unique challenges (Yang & Liu, 2013). The vastness of the education system, the diversity of student populations, and the need for equitable access to technology pose significant implementation hurdles. Questions regarding infrastructure readiness, teachers’ training, digital resource availability, and data security need to be addressed to ensure successful integration and maximize the potential benefits (Chagnon-Lessard et al., 2021).

Understanding the current state of smart campus implementation, along with exploring opportunities and challenges, is crucial for policymakers, educators, administrators, and researchers. The number of studies on the construction of smart campuses, however, is small, and the field of research is narrow. Some universities have rudimentary smart campus constructions, and administrators lack a deep understanding of their essence and functional value. There is a lack of scientifically valid evaluation criteria to measure the level of smart campus construction. In this study, we aim to fill these gaps by delving into the implementation of a smart campus within the context of 5G technology development, elucidating the key components involved and the effective utilization of digital technology. By conducting an empirical study at Zhongshan College and using descriptive statistics and quantitative research methods, we address the following questions.

• Q1: What aspects should be considered in evaluating the level of smart campuses?

• Q2: Do respondents from different groups exhibit variations in their evaluations of smart campuses?

• Q3: How do various aspects of smart campuses influence the level of students’ learning engagement?