Adaptive learning is an educational method which uses computer algorithms to orchestrate the interaction with the learner and deliver customized resources and learning activities to address the unique needs of each learner. In professional learning contexts, individuals may demonstrate learning preferences or require more personalized content, and adaptive systems can cater to these needs.
Here are some examples of adaptive learning:
1. **Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS):** These systems are designed to mimic the one-on-one instruction that a student might receive from a tutor. They adapt to a student’s learning pace, providing individualized instruction that focuses on areas where the student is struggling or could advance more quickly than usual.
2. **Personalized Learning Paths:** Many online educational platforms now offer courses that adapt based on how well the user is performing on certain tasks. If a student excels in one area, the path will adjust to present more advanced materials, whereas it might provide additional resources or revisiting fundamental concepts if a student struggles.
3. **Adaptive e-books:** These interactive books adapt content and assessments in real-time to suit the learner’s ability level and learning speed. They may also provide hints or explanations in response to incorrect answers or confusion.
4. **Educational Video Games:** Games that adapt to a player’s level are becoming increasingly common in education technology. As players progress, the game adjusts the difficulty of tasks according to their performance.
5. **Data-Driven Curriculum Adjustment:** In some educational settings, teachers use data from students’ performance on computerized tests to adjust lesson plans and assignments dynamically for individual students or groups.
6. **Language Learning Apps:** Some modern language learning applications adjust their curriculum based on how well users remember vocabulary, master pronunciation, or understand grammatical structures, personalizing the pace and focus of lessons accordingly.
7. **Dynamic Assessment Tools:** Adaptive assessment tools evaluate what the user knows and what they need to work on, then change future test questions accordingly so that each test is customized for every student’s knowledge level.
By leveraging such adaptive learning systems, educational experiences can be tailored to individual learner profiles, potentially leading to more efficient and effective education outcomes.
