Technology is advancing so quickly and there are so many platforms and approaches for adaptive learning. So how do you choose one for your classroom, if at all? The simplest way to think about and sort through adaptive learning technologies is to treat it as a tutor. Tutors supplement instruction and coach students one-on-one. Tutors may not know as much as the teachers, but they help students figure out the areas they need help on and address them. Adaptive learning technologies give the opportunity to offer every student in your class a private tutor. This tutor can also give you a daily report of your entire class- providing data for who is doing well, who is struggling on which concepts, and what areas are difficult for the class as a whole. Adopting an adaptive learning technology will change the way you teach, change how you spend your class time, and impact your interaction with students.
Even though this sounds like an educator's dream come true, adaptive learning technologies are not magic. Like any tool, they must be understood and used appropriately. When you hire a tutor, you want to know what the tutor can and cannot do to help your students. Likewise, it is important to understand the ways the software adapts to your students. Here are some questions you should ask and think about when considering an adaptive learning product in your class.
- What are the software's capabilities? What are the limitations?
- Do you trust the software and what it claims it can do?
- Which teaching functions can the software fulfill? Which teaching functions remain with the teacher- that cannot be replicated by a machine?
Adaptive learning technologies have real value but examine each tool by thinking how it could empower you to be a better teacher. Do you think your school would adopt an adaptive learning technology? How could such a capability change the way you teach?
References:
Riddell, R. (2013, October 31). Adaptive learning: The best approaches we've seen so far. Retrieved February 14, 2016, from http://www.educationdive.com/news/adaptive-learning-the-best-approaches-weve-seen-so-far/187875/
Feldstein, M. (2013, December 17). What Faculty Should Know About Adaptive Learning. Retrieved February 14, 2016, from http://mfeldstein.com/faculty-know-adaptive-learning/
I love how you relate adaptive learning to a tutor, it is very fitting, and helps to make sense of the advanced platforms that are out there. It sounds like you have a great handle on it!
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you outlined the criteria for evaluating an adaptive learning technology option. Understanding the limitation of the software and what would be required of the human educators is a huge piece of successful implementation. In my program/classroom, I have instructional paraeducators who assist students, and I think that obtaining their input would be important for me as well. Thank you for sharing such thorough information!
ReplyDeleteA great blog, it has a lot of useful information to me.
ReplyDeleteVillage Talkies a top-quality professional corporate video production company in Bangalore and also best explainer video company in Bangalore & animation video makers in Bangalore, Chennai, India & Maryland, Baltimore, USA provides Corporate & Brand films, Promotional, Marketing videos & Training videos, Product demo videos, Employee videos, Product video explainers, eLearning videos, 2d Animation, 3d Animation, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard Explainer videos Client Testimonial Videos, Video Presentation and more for all start-ups, industries, and corporate companies. From scripting to corporate video production services, explainer & 3d, 2d animation video production , our solutions are customized to your budget, timeline, and to meet the company goals and objectives.
As a best video production company in Bangalore, we produce quality and creative videos to our clients.