Adaptive learning is the future of education
For schools and universities to implement this learning style throughout the curriculum and in each course, an unprecedented shift in educational paradigm would be required. In the history of education, this has never been attempted, except perhaps outside a handful of specialized private schools and colleges.
Although adaptive learning is a departure from traditional pedagogical methods, educators hope that this will become the new norm, over time, with courses tailored to each student's unique needs.
Adaptive learning benefits
Because each student learns in different ways, even when these are classified into broad groups (eg, visual, spatial, logical, social, etc.), students will have different learning outcomes. Not everyone will absorb the knowledge that a teacher is trying to provide in the same way, so some students will understand it while others will struggle.
Although some of these results are the result of individual characteristics, intelligence levels, and known learning difficulties (for example, students with ADHD or dyslexia), educators are responsible for how a course is delivered, and therefore for the results what to expect. Maintaining a one-size-fits-all approach is not as well suited to the needs of modern students.
Students in each age group are more immersed than ever in the digital ways of learning and thinking. When the concept of adaptive learning first appeared, it was when computers were becoming mainstream. He envisioned that AI programs would tailor courses to the individual needs of students. A system that emerged at that time was known as Scholar, which laid the foundation for future adaptive learning attempts.
Combining adaptive learning with predictive analytics has great potential to improve the way students learn and generate positive learning outcomes. Artificial intelligence-based learning systems can collect and process large amounts of data from student learning activities, such as the amount of time spent completing each task, response latency, and assessment results. The data can be used to detect patterns and build predictive models that help identify individual student needs and sharpen content delivered to each student.
Algorithms analyze data much faster than humans. Students then get content, prompts, and interventions, all of which change in real time based on their individual needs and abilities. Although many educators can see the benefits of adaptive learning, the challenge is to find a way to implement it and do it profitably.
How to apply adaptive learning in practice
Fortunately, we are now at a point where educational software is advanced enough that it can be more easily adapted or customized based on the needs of students, educators, and content creators.
Rather than offering a single learning package for a course, creators and providers of educational content can tailor learning packages to a variety of needs. A quick assessment, which any teacher or tutor can implement, must determine the learning styles present in any particular course and class.
With that information in hand, teachers can use educational management software to implement a series of options for different learning styles in each class. Students may receive a range of options, from traditional instructor-led instruction to interactions with videos, quizzes, activities, learning sessions, and software programs on a tablet, phone, or computer.
Despite cost concerns, with the right resources, creating a series of learning pathways costs no more than preparing traditional materials and forms of instruction. Teachers also don't need to worry about adaptive learning that takes over the core elements of a course. Instead, adaptive elements may be elective or core learning may be delivered first, followed by a period of a lesson where different students approach the study in various ways depending on what they need and how they learn.
However, it should be noted that adaptive learning is not always easily connected to every course, discipline, and subject. Educators should always make a judgment call, partly taking into account the needs and styles of the students waiting for a new admission, along with the demands of the course and anticipated learning outcomes.
conclusion
Adaptive learning is the future of education. Sooner or later, students everywhere will benefit from being able to select courses and modules that are more closely tailored to how they prefer and need to learn. Schools and colleges that offer adaptive courses, with the software to offer them, will gain the advantage over those that do not.