Some days, I think that if adaptive learning had been around during my school days, it would have made learning so much easier for me in school. Still, I remember those days, which I would not wish on anyone.
When I was in grade 6, it was difficult for me to solve mathematical problems. There are various methods to solve a problem, but our class teacher used to teach a single process to all the students. A few students were able to solve the problem, but many of us struggled to grasp the concept.
Most students feel anxious because, even after being clever, they cannot grasp the whole point and consistently receive lower marks in mathematics. The stress of scoring higher in math than others at a young age is unbearable. No student in the class should feel like this.
But is the next generation blessed with a solution? The adaptive learning technology can do the job.
Adaptive learning is a unique process that collects student data, analyzes it, and shows outcomes to meet the needs of students.
The adaptive learning system collects various information about students, such as academic performance reports, past exam grades, etc. Analyzing this information helps students understand their areas of improvement. Moreover, it provides personalized corrections and suggestions to each student, if required.
Let me give you an example: Suppose there’s a student in the classroom who is weak at solving math problems. The adaptive learning system will analyze his weaknesses and will generate a learning path especially for that student to help him understand and adapt.
This learning process uses artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computer algorithms (CA) technology. The key features of this system are personalized learning, real-time adjustment, and enhanced outcomes.
benefits of adaptive learning for students
improve academic performance through adaptive learning
Through personalized learning, students have gained 1.5x performance in math, which was found by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2018). This shows the improvement in student academic performance due to adaptive learning implementation.
This system deeply focuses on what the needs of students are and where they find difficulties. And generating educational outcomes, which develop a greater understanding of the topic. The way that outcome is generated, the practical examples given there, help students to retain information for the long term.
126 studies analyzed by SRI International (2021) found that through this system implementation,
- 0.36 standard deviation improvement in overall academic performance.
- 0.42 standard deviation improvement in math.
- 0.38 standard deviations of improvement in science.
- 0.29 standard deviation improvement in language arts.
increased engagement
There are various ways through which this system can increase student engagement. This system provides feedback quickly or on time, which prevents distraction while learning. This system provides learning outcomes specific to their interest, which are aligned with their needs too. Thus, students become more attracted to the topic, and their engagement level increases.
The gamification element in the outcome provided by the system has changed the game. This creates fun learning and helps students to be involved as much as possible. The real-life examples or case studies related to their studies attract a lot. It also makes students curious to learn further.
A study by Carnegie Learning (2019) found that student-reported engagement increased by 67%, off-task behaviors reduced by 42%, and homework rates improved by 58%. Adaptive learning systems helped draw these results.
Benefits of adaptive learning for schools
Increase efficiency and scalability through adaptive learning
This system provides resources tailored to each student’s needs and requirements. It is personalized for each student, and also helps schools to scale by accommodating more students in the classroom.
Enhance reputation
Due to adaptive technology in the classrooms, students can have higher grades. These high results can catch the attention of other parents and students. These lead to more admissions. Parents should definitely check the background, and after knowing that the school is using different technologies, which leads to the student’s growth. Directly enhance the school’s reputation.
provide data-driven insights
This system provides various data, such as student learning progress and their day-to-day performance. This helps schools to make important decisions, like how to improve and what instruction should be given. This data-driven information also helps to make changes in the curriculum.
Better resource management
Schools can optimize resources better through this system. Personalized resources like textbooks, puzzles, and others would be there, and schools can manage these resources as per the students’ requirements.
challenges of adaptive learning
Lack of training
It’s a totally new approach for teachers in the school, as they might find it difficult to operate this new technology. Teachers must attend training sessions to work the system and get its benefits. Untrained teachers could not bring sufficient outcomes. So, it can be a challenging task.
choosing the right ERP provider
It’s a time-consuming task to choose the best ERP provider from the number of ERP providers. Schools are required to find an ERP provider that can easily shift schools towards this learning system by providing educational tools that are easy to use for schools. SmakTech is one of the ERP providers that can easily set up the programs in your school.
Data privacy concerns
This system needs a lot of data on students, such as their progress reports, learning patterns, and more. It could worsen if some of this information is misused through data leakage. This is how one can be concerned about data privacy.
Types of adaptive learning
Designed adaptivity
Designed adaptivity is a human-driven approach. It mainly focuses on students’ choice of which method or content to learn from. Students can also choose a learning style that they feel works best for them. Students have control over their learning journey. They have the freedom to learn anything.
Algorithm adaptability
This type of learning is more technical than the above one. Here, the system automatically generates the content based on the student’s performance and behaviors. It provides the right level of content at the right time, which benefits the students.
Suppose a student is filling out a test; if she passes the test without mistakes, then the system lets her move further to more difficulties. But if she makes mistakes, the system automatically reduces the difficulty level of the test. This is how students can make their minds sharper.
Steps to implement an adaptive learning system
Start with clear learning approach
Decide what skill or activity you want the student to master. Understand the goal behind setting up the system, which you can get through the adaptive learning process.
Select the right platform for the adaptive learning
Choose the platform that provides comprehensive content aligned with the curriculum, an interface for student and teacher analytics and reporting features, and also a diverse learning environment that supports regional languages.
Prepare teacher and other staff members for the adaptive learning system
Provide a training period to the teacher and staff that helps them to conduct the system. The training period must provide knowledge in terms of the technical as well as pedagogical benefits of the system.
Designing and developing the system
Provide a variety of pathways or modules on assessment and support. Implement such a mechanism that provides feedback on time to the student. Also, create learning material such as videos and more, and keep them more engaging and cater to different learning styles.
Analyze data and refine the system
Analyze data, such as student performance data, to understand student learning patterns. Gather feedback from teachers and students. Through data analysis and feedback, refine the system and content.
The adaptive education approach is beneficial for both teacher and student. It has some challenges, but through selecting the right ERP provider, a school can reduce such challenges to some extent.
Hi, I’m Chhaya. I am from Gujarat. I’ve completed my M.B.A. in Business Management from N.M.I.M.S—Mumbai. I have always had a keen interest in marketing and writing. I began my journey by applying my skills to support educational bodies and EdTech firms, and along the way, I have gained immense experience in this field.
With time, my interest in Education and the Ed-tech industry drew me to gain valuable experience by working with two Ed-tech companies. In short, I can be that go-to person if one needs to know about the Education and Ed-Tech scenario in India and understand the intricacies of the field.
Apart from this, my interests are reading and writing!
Feel free to ping me on my work email, chhaya@smaktech.com, to discuss my work at SmakTech or for any work-related queries!
