Author: Vladimir Goodkovsky

This post is inspired by the post with the same title published in eLearning Industry. Its conclusive point is “there’s more value in thinking of personalized learning and adaptive learning as fruit on the same vine, than treating them as a separate genre”. It sounds nice but does not clarify “what is the difference” and why it matters. So, let me bring some clarity.

First of all the common term “Adaptive Learning” is confusing. Learning is always adaptive. In general, learning is an adaptation of yourself to an ever-changing environment. So, Adaptive Learning is “Learning Learning”,”Adaptive Adaptation”, or “Learning Adaptation”. Sounds clear? Not really, it is confusing and misleading.

Replace the term Learning with term Instruction. Then instruction can be

· Differentiated, which is Instruction targeted to a specific group of learners (with their specific background, needs, objectives, preferences,…). It is fixed and not flexible. For example, a static playlist/pathway for all learners of the group defined by pre-testing and surveying the learners.

· Personalized, which is Instruction targeted to a particular Learner (with her specific background, needs, objectives, preferences,…). It is fixed and not flexible as well. An example, a static playlist/pathway defined for one particular learner by pre-testing and surveying.

· Adaptive, which is a Personalized Instruction having a moving (and fuzzy) target, ever-changing Learner. So, it is flexible and dynamic. For example, a dynamic pathway automatically generated by an Instructional Engine (such as iTutorSoft) for one particular learner on the fly based on dynamically embedded testing and assessment of learner’s current proficiency and/or deficiency.

So, what matters is, due to its static inflexibility, Personalized and Differentiated instruction cannot follow any deviation of the ever-changing learner from the predefined Pathway. That is why they lose their learners and cannot be effective. In contrast, due to its dynamic flexibility, Adaptive Personalized Instruction keeps each learner in the loop and can be really effective.

Learn why it’s important to stay ahead of the latest technological trends and how to do it as easily as possible. 

Technology is advancing at a faster rate than ever before. Keeping up with this never-ending wave of innovation may seem daunting, but as an eLearning professional, it’s essential. Harvard Business Review made it pretty clear [1]: “Ignoring trends can give rivals the opportunity to transform the industry”. Forbes echoed this sentiment by saying that “if you don’t keep up with technology – and stay one step ahead of the game” you risk falling behind, becoming irrelevant, and missing opportunities [2]. Thankfully, keeping up with the latest tech stories is easier than you might think, and will benefit you greatly in the short- and long-run. By reading leading online tech publications, watching content on YouTube, listening to podcasts, attending conferences, and becoming an early adopter, you’ll be up-to-date and in-the-know in no time.

It’s also important to try out new technology trends on your own. By becoming an “early adopter”, you’ll have an inside look at the behaviors and thought-patterns involved in upcoming technological innovations. Trying out new technology doesn’t have to be expensive either, many apps or software platforms offer free versions and trials. By trying out a new app, you can experiment with new ways to communicate, take notes, or perform tasks you have to do every day. You may even find new workflows that work better than what you’re doing right now! This habit is beneficial not only because you’re getting small tastes of new technology that may become a larger part of your work in the future, but also (and maybe more importantly)because you’re developing the ability to better learn how to use and navigate new programs and platforms. As a result, when you are inevitably asked to use a new system in your work, you won’t have to waste as much time learning the ins and outs of a new program.

The full text of this article is available here. Good luck!

When we think about popular software, we picture sites like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu: the pros of personalization.

As Amazon users shop, they buy everything from toilet paper to college textbooks, dog food, and nutritional supplements depending on lifestyle and AI-generated product recommendations.

As viewers watch Netflix, they stream endless hours of reality television or hard-hitting dramas or true-crime documentaries depending on personal preference and, more often than not, previous search requests.

These sites don’t discriminate based on age, interests, intellect or socioeconomic status, and neither does adaptive learning, an educational model changing the landscape of learning from a one-size-fits-all atmosphere, to a customized tool for students of all ages. Regardless of learning ability and prior knowledge, adaptive learning helps any student willing to learn.

To help you better understand the basics and benefits of adaptive learning, we’re breaking down a few must-knows.

1. Adaptive learning helps teachers as well as students
2. Adaptive learning engages the area between a student’s comfort zone and frustration zone
3. School and Universities across the country have already adopted adaptive learning and personalization techniques:
4. When it comes to adaptive learning, BE PICKY
5. The U.S. Department of Education is investing in adaptive learning.

There are endless benefits to adaptive learning technology – students can track improvement and develop a sense of personal responsibility for their academic progress, students who’ve fallen behind on a subject have additional resources to draw from, and teachers can develop lesson plans tailored specifically to the classroom of students before them.

The adaptive learning model even extends beyond binge-watching platforms and educational models. AL has been implemented to improve training techniques within NASA and branches of the U.S. military, boasting revolutionary success and changing the way we approach educational improvement.

Invest in adaptive learning and whip your students in shape – NASA-style.

Here is a full text of the article.

This post was inspired by the publication “The Need For Learning Engineers (and Learning Engineering)“.

Below is our comment that represents our vision and our Learning Engineering practice:

In general, Engineering is supposed to apply well-defined scientific knowledge, formal/mathematical theories. Such theories have precisely formulated terms and definitions, axioms and theorems, laws, frameworks, models, methods, criteria, …
In contrast, Learning Sciences are still ill-defined, empirical, and not formal/mathematical theories. They are more like Art. Their main method is probe and trial, find what works, reuse and refine it.

Meanwhile, it is possible to upgrade this Art of Learning Sciences with Wisdom of Interdisciplinary Methodology and Systems Approach, Order of Exact Sciences, Power of Artificial Intelligence, and Intelligent Tutoring Solutions.

On this rock-solid foundation, we, at iTutorSoft, have defined a general model (framework/engine) of Adaptive Personalized Deep Learning for its specific practical applications with unlimited accuracy and efficacy at scale. For easy mass implementation of our solution we developed a cloud technological platform CLARITY. Now the users of our platform can do, what is called, Learning Engineering.

Just because ‘Every dollar invested in online training results in a $30 increase in productivity’ (via @forbes).  Is not it amazing?

By Steve Olenski

I will dispense with any amenities and cut right to the chase. When it comes to corporate learning and training the numbers are truly staggering.

• Spending on corporate training has grown to over $70 billion in the United States.

• As one of the top three non-financial motivators, 76% of employees want opportunities for career growth.

• 87% of millennials say professional development or career growth opportunities are very important.

• 68% of workers say training and development is the most important workplace policy.

• 84% of global executives ranked employee learning as important or very important.

• 40% of employees who receive poor job training leave their positions within the first year.

•  Every dollar invested in online training results in a $30 increase in productivity.

• Companies that use e-learning technology achieve an 18% boost in employee engagement.

Trust me, there’s a lot more where this came from meaning there is no shortage of stats and research that speak to the benefits of e-Learning.

You are welcome to see the original text in here.

I am reposting this excellent work by joshbersin to provide you with the priceless modern vision of digital enterprise learning and emphasize its main future points, which are Intelligent Learning and Personalization. Enjoy!

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Without a technological breakthrough (read: without CLARITY platform), the current personalized learning efforts will, at best, lead to modest improvements in the execution of common place ideas (using data to drive instruction, executing leveled small group instruction, investing children in goals, etc.). School will look the same and be a little more effective and pleasant for all involved.

This is fine and the world is in many ways built on modest improvements.

But for personalized learning to live up to its hype (as well as to its philanthropic investment), it will need a technological breakthrough.

Read full article “Personalized Learning is a Transformative Idea Without a Transformative Technology”

In addition to it, take a look at article “Differentiation Doesn’t Work“.

The reason is obvious for everybody: one teacher cannot differentiate instruction for very different students in the class. Nevertheless, this obvious reason has been thoroughly researched and finally proven. (wasting time?)

The conclusion is also obvious: only one-on-one teaching (which is tutoring) is necessary for differentiation and personalization of instruction. Not realistic? Right!

The realistic solution  is a right intelligent tutoring technology, which empowers teachers to serve each student of the class personally.

That is what we offer, actually.

 

It’s nearly impossible to tune into the business news without hearing about Smart Cars, Smart Homes, and Smart Companies that are increasingly reducing costs, reaching more customers, and replacing employees with algorithms and robots. Businesses are scrambling to take advantage of the opportunities that will come from the increased efficiencies, capabilities, and opportunities occasioned by artificial intelligence (AI). From healthcare to social welfare; from education to advertising; and from manufacturing to financial services, AI is poised to change the world as we stand at the brink of what is being referred to as The Fourth Industrial Revolution.

iTutorSoft demonstrated its technology platform at MIT Enterprise Forum “Artificial Intelligence Getting Down To The Binary”