What Is Adaptive E-Learning?
Believe it or not, adaptive learning has been around since before the 1970s. But it was, of course, a lot more difficult to understand and implement back then because it relies on computers, algorithms, and programming to really be effective. Now you probably know of adaptive learning as “personalized learning.” There are many benefits.
Present-day adaptive e-learning occurs when a computer-based system and or an LMS (Learning Management System) modifies the presentation of learning material in response to a learner’s performance. Depending on how the system is designed, it will have a learner complete learning tasks based on how they completed previous tasks and will base learning experience based on their learning profiles.
Multiple studies have shown that a one-size-fits-all learning strategy is not effective, and that adaptive e-learning has many more benefits for learners.1-2
Here are some of the many benefits adaptive e-learning brings to the workplace.
Benefits of Adaptive E-Learning
1. Faster Learner Progression
Instructors and course designers know how difficult it is to tailor learning content for each individual learner, especially for thousands of learners inside corporations and enterprises. And when they can’t monitor each learner’s progress manually and respond to it accordingly in an efficient manner, it only holds up each learner’s entire learning process. But adaptive e-learning technology works in real time, so learners will only encounter learning material that is relevant to their specific learning trajectory when it’s most relevant to them.
When they need a refresher on learning content, learners will encounter it inside their learning system when it will help them and when they need it, not when they don’t. And if they’ve already mastered a topic, they won’t have to wade through endless hours of redundant instruction; instead, they’ll be able to advance to their next learning phase. This leads to overall faster learner progression because learners won’t have to spend extra time on topics they have demonstrated they already know and understand.
2. Higher-Quality Learner Progression
Not only will learners be able to get through learning material faster with adaptive e-learning but also they’ll have a higher-quality experience as they progress through their courses. They will be challenged and spend more time on topics they need to but won’t have to spend too much time on topics and tasks that come easily to them individually. And with adaptive e-learning tools, learners will truly understand each lesson and learning task before moving on to the next one.
3. Adjust to Different Learning Styles
Sophisticated adaptive e-learning systems will also “learn” how students learn and will focus on delivering learning materials that suit their individual learning styles. For instance, some learners will comprehend things better via reading materials, while others learn best through video or audio content and others learn best via simulated experiences. As long as there is a diverse library of learning content for each topic available, adaptive systems will be able to display the type of content that resonates best with learners as they progress in their learning modules.
(Watch out for tomorrow’s post for the additional five benefits of adaptive e-learning.)
- Concordia University Deploys Fishtree to Solve for Personalized Learning Needs. Accessed 3/12/2018.
- Skillsoft and IBM Research. Just What Employees Ordered: Personalized Adaptive Learning. Accessed 3/12/2018.