Smile Zemi is a tablet-based home learning service designed for children in grades 1 to 5, developed by JustSystems. It aims to improve educational outcomes in core subjects such as math and English Language Arts (ELA) through interactive and engaging content.
Key Features of Smile Zemi
Educational Focus: Smile Zemi offers a curriculum aligned to Common Core standards, with lessons consisting of videos, quizzes, and interactive tasks. This structure is designed to make learning enjoyable while ensuring comprehension and retention.
Dedicated Tablet: The system is delivered via a dedicated tablet called Smile Tablet 4, which is designed for educational purposes. It does not allow access to an internet browser or non-educational applications, creating a distraction-free learning environment.
Performance Tracking: The platform includes the ability to track student progress. Parents can monitor their children’s performance through a dedicated app that provides insight into their learning journey. Children receive rewards upon completing a course, which can be used to customize their learning experience.
Pilot Program Success: In a pilot study conducted in the United States, students using Smile Zemi saw significant improvements in academic performance—after eight weeks of use, 2nd graders saw an average improvement of 29 percentage points in math and 3rd graders saw an improvement of 21 percentage points in ELA.
What Smile Zemi is Saying
Positives
Engaging Learning Environment: Many parents and reviewers praised Smile Zemi for creating an engaging, interactive learning experience. The tablet includes a variety of activities aligned to Common Core standards, covering subjects such as math and English Language Arts (ELA) through videos, quizzes, and interactive tasks. Users report that children enjoy using the tablet and find the lessons age-appropriate and inspiring.
Structured Learning: The system encourages children to work at their own pace, which encourages independent learning. Reviews indicate that the lessons are well-structured, keeping students engaged without overwhelming them. Parents noted that their children were able to complete four short lessons per day, easily fitting into their busy schedules.
Progress Tracking: Smile Zemi provides parents with tools to track their children’s progress through a dedicated app. This feature allows parents to see how their child is doing and where they may need additional support.
Reward system: The tablet features a reward system where children earn stars for completing lessons, which can be redeemed for custom avatars or to unlock other fun features. This gamification element helps motivate children to engage with the learning material.
Criticisms
Initial cost and subscription fee: Some reviews mentioned that while the tablet is a valuable educational tool, it requires an initial purchase cost and an ongoing subscription fee for access to content. This may be a factor for families to consider when evaluating its affordability compared to other educational options.
Limited engagement for some users: Some parents expressed concerns about engagement with the lessons. While many children enjoyed using Smile Zemi, some found the content less stimulating over time. For example, one review noted that one child found it less interesting after the initial excitement wore off, suggesting that additional motivational strategies may be needed to maintain interest35.
Focus on self-directed learning: While self-directed learning is a key feature, some parents noted that children with short attention spans may need more supervision or encouragement to stay engaged with the material.
Conclusion
Overall, Smile Zemi represents a comprehensive approach to homeschooling that combines modern technology with proven teaching strategies to support children’s learning outside of the classroom. Its design promotes independent learning while ensuring children effectively engage with necessary academic content.
Smile Zemi is an educational tablet designed for children in grades 1-5, and reviews highlight its effectiveness and engaging features. It can effectively support young students’ learning while providing a distraction-free environment. Its design promotes independent learning, making it a recommended choice for families looking to advance their children’s education at home.
