Inside Stanford SMILE : The Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment

Inside Stanford SMILE : How Mobile Inquiry-Based Learning Builds Critical Thinkers

What if education wasn’t about memorizing answers, but about asking the right questions?

Stanford University’s SMILE (Stanford Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment) redefines the classroom by making students the drivers of inquiry.

With a mobile platform and AI analytics, SMILE transforms passive learners into active investigators — building the curiosity and critical thinking needed for the AI era.

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What You Study

Core Skills

• Question Formulation & Refinement
• Peer Evaluation & Collaborative Feedback
• Critical Analysis via Discussion
• Data-Informed Reflection on Learning Progress

Rather than simply absorbing information, SMILE participants learn how to frame compelling questions,

explore diverse perspectives, and challenge their own assumptions.

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How You Learn

All SMILE sessions follow a student-led inquiry cycle:

1. Students submit questions through the SMILE mobile app.
2. Peers evaluate question quality and offer answers.
3. AI analytics highlight learning gaps, patterns, and emerging themes.
4. Teachers facilitate discussions based on these insights.

Example Applications:

• Science Inquiry: Designing experiments starting with “What if…” questions.
• History & Social Studies: Re-examining events through alternative perspectives.
• Language Arts: Crafting prompts that drive deeper literary interpretation.

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Where It Leads

• Education Innovator
• Curriculum Designer
• EdTech Specialist
• AI-powered Learning Consultant
• Critical Thinking Coach

Educators and graduates applying SMILE principles report improved engagement, stronger problem-solving skills,

and greater student ownership of learning — qualities highly sought after in modern workplaces.

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“ When students start asking their own questions, they take ownership of learning
— and that’s when true education begins. ”
- Dr. Paul Kim, Stanford Graduate School of Education -

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❓ FAQ : Stanford SMILE

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Q1 : What is Stanford SMILE?

SMILE stands for

Stanford Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment.

It’s a platform and teaching method that empowers students to create, share,

and evaluate questions in real time, shifting the focus from memorizing facts to generating meaningful inquiry.

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Q2: What makes SMILE unique compared to traditional classes?

Instead of passively listening to lectures and preparing for exams, SMILE places students at the center of learning.

They design their own questions, engage in peer review, and explore topics through collaborative discussion

— supported by AI insights that guide deeper exploration.

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Q3: Who can benefit most from using SMILE?

SMILE is effective for a variety of learning environments

— from K–12 classrooms to university seminars and teacher training programs.

It works especially well for students and educators who want to enhance autonomy, curiosity, and critical thinking skills.

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📚 References

1. Kim, P., & Buckner, E. (2012).
   ‍Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment (SMILE). Stanford Graduate School of Education. Retrieved from https://gse-it.stanford.edu/smile
2. Stanford Graduate School of Education. (n.d.).
   ‍Stanford Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment Overview. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://gse-it.stanford.edu
3. UNESCO MGIEP. (2018). Case Study
   : Stanford Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment (SMILE). Retrieved from

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