Abstract

This study examines the research landscape of smart learning environments by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the field over the years. The study focused on the research trends, scholar’s productivity, and thematic focus of scientific publications in the field of smart learning environments. A total of 1081 data consisting of peer-reviewed articles were retrieved from the Scopus database. A bibliometric approach was applied to analyse the data for a comprehensive overview of the trend, thematic focus, and scientific production in the field of smart learning environments. The result from this bibliometric analysis indicates that the first paper on smart learning environments was published in 2002; implying the beginning of the field. Among other sources, “Computers & Education,” “Smart Learning Environments,” and “Computers in Human Behaviour” are the most relevant outlets publishing articles associated with smart learning environments. The work of Kinshuk et al., published in 2016, stands out as the most cited work among the analysed documents. The United States has the highest number of scientific productions and remained the most relevant country in the smart learning environment field. Besides, the results also showed names of prolific scholars and most relevant institutions in the field. Keywords such as “learning analytics,” “adaptive learning,” “personalized learning,” “blockchain,” and “deep learning” remain the trending keywords. Furthermore, thematic analysis shows that “digital storytelling” and its associated components such as “virtual reality,” “critical thinking,” and “serious games” are the emerging themes of the smart learning environments but need to be further developed to establish more ties with “smart learning”. The study provides useful contribution to the field by clearly presenting a comprehensive overview and research hotspots, thematic focus, and future direction of the field. These findings can guide scholars, especially the young ones in field of smart learning environments in defining their research focus and what aspect of smart leaning can be explored.

Highlights

  • The evolution of learning and teaching methods from the traditional classroom learning environment to a technology-enhanced learning environment positively impacts education (Cárdenas-Robledo & Peña-Ayal, 2018; McIntosh, Herman, Sanford, McGraw, & Florence, 2004)

  • This study examines the research landscape of the smart learning environment to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research activities from a multidisciplinary perspective, trends, and possible future direction of the field

  • Growth and trends of smart learning environments research we begin by presenting the annual scientific production of articles in the field of smart learning environments

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Summary

Introduction

The evolution of learning and teaching methods from the traditional classroom learning environment to a technology-enhanced learning environment positively impacts education (Cárdenas-Robledo & Peña-Ayal, 2018; McIntosh, Herman, Sanford, McGraw, & Florence, 2004) This transition is even more relevant nowadays due to unforeseen circumstances that create an emergency on the world’s education, for example, where formal learning is not possible due to closure of schools as experienced in the recent COVID-19 pandemic (Atchison et al, 2020). It will reveal critical information that can guide researchers in making decision regarding areas to focus their future research (field hotspots); and which publication outlet is suitable for publication To this end, this study examines the research landscape of the smart learning environment to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research activities from a multidisciplinary perspective, trends, and possible future direction of the field

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