Table 1 Comparisons of smart learning, context-aware u-learning systems and adaptive learning

Detects and takes into account the real-world contexts

Yes

Yes

No

Situates learners in real-world scenarios

Yes

Yes

No

Adapts learning content for individual learners

Yes

No

Yes

Adapts the learning interface for individual learners

Yes

No

Yes

Adapts learning tasks or objectives for individual learners

Yes

No

No

Provides personalized feedback or guidance

Yes

Yes

Yes

Provides learning guidance or support across disciplines

Yes

No

No

Provides learning guidance or support across contexts (e.g., in classrooms, on school campuses, in the library, and on the street)

Yes

Yes

No

Recommends learning tools or strategies

Yes

No

No

Considers the online learning status of learners

Yes

No

Yes

Considers the real-world learning status of learners

Yes

Yes

No

Facilitates both formal and informal learning

Yes

Yes

No

Takes multiple personal factors and environmental factors (e.g., learning needs, preferences, schedules and real-world contexts) into account

Yes

No

No

Interacts with users via multiple channels (e.g., smartphones, Google Glass, or other ubiquitous computing devices)

Yes

Yes

No

Provides support to learners with “in advance adaptation” across real and virtual contexts

Yes

No

No

Provides support to learners with “on the run adaptation” across real and virtual contexts

Yes

No

No