One of the key challenges of modern education is that it is one-size-fits-all. In other words, all students are given material of equal complexity and depth, and the pace of learning is assumed to be the same for everyone. This is a problem because each learner learns at his or her own pace and absorbs new material in his or her own way. We are all individuals. So how do we ensure that each of us gets the training that meets our needs? The solution already exists, and it’s called adaptive learning.
Let’s look at what it is, how it relates to artificial intelligence (spoiler alert: AI in eLearning is already the norm, not something new), and how we can benefit from using these technologies.
Table of contents
How are AI and eLearning related?
Today, it’s hard to imagine online learning without AI-powered tools such as translators, chatbots, assistants, or even AI tutors. The development of eLearning software is also not standing still, providing us with comprehensive learning platforms such as LMS or various e-learning applications. However, the picture of the rapid development of AI in e-learning will be more complete if we outline the key tasks of AI in modern education, which all the above-mentioned tools and software are focused on.
There are three key tasks among them:
- Changing the way educational content is delivered;
- Make learning personalized;
- Make learning accessible to everyone.
And you know what: all of this can be achieved not just by using AI, but by implementing an adaptive learning environment powered by AI.
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What is adaptive learning?
This term typically refers to a training approach that drives a personalized learning journey. Personalization is achieved through the use of machine learning and data analysis algorithms that:
- Identify each learner’s strengths and weaknesses;
- Tailor learning material to each learner’s knowledge level, skill set, and learning pace;
- Create specific learning challenges based on the learner’s experience, interests, or goals to encourage them to continue studying.
Thus, the learning process adapts to each learner and gets personalized. This is exactly what a modern person needs, as we have short attention spans due to information overload from social media and media feeds. As a result, it’s hard for us to focus on one subject and learn it in depth. Instead, AI-powered personalized learning helps keep our attention for as long as our brains need it. And that’s not all.
Given the importance of this approach to learning, it’s no surprise that the global market for adaptive learning products continues to grow, and is expected to reach $5.3 billion by 2025.
Key ways to deliver adaptive learning
There are proven ways to deliver AI-based adaptive learning to learners and educators in both corporate and academic environments. These include those described below.
AI accessibility tools
The goal of modern learning is not just to deliver information and assess learner progress, but to provide an inclusive and equitable learning environment. The use of tools such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and real-time translation makes learning accessible to everyone. In addition, all of this contributes to better employee engagement. According to surveys, 80% of employees say corporate training makes their work more meaningful and adds value. At the same time, companies with a strong learning culture have twice the employee retention rate.
An AI-based Learning Management System
We’ve already mentioned LMSs above. Now it’s time to explain them. So, an AI LMS is a web or mobile platform that provides continuous and, most importantly, adaptive and therefore personalized learning. Most often, an AI-based LMS is used by enterprises for corporate training. It’s important to distinguish between simple LMSs that deliver content to users and those powered by artificial intelligence.
The latter can do the following:
- Personalize the delivery of content, which helps learners better absorb the material and subsequently grow in their careers thanks to the knowledge and skills they gain.
- Engage learners in active learning: learners are not passive listeners, but responsible and enthusiastic co-creators.
- Provide insightful, data-driven information to make informed learning and business decisions.
- Provide a dynamic learning journey for each learner, making the learning process more meaningful and engaging.
Wondering: “What does an LMS mean in the text-to-speech environments mentioned above?” Having an AI-powered learning management system in your organization with must-have options like the ones above increases the inclusivity and accessibility of learning for your team. And that is in line with the norms by which modern society should evolve.
Personalized content and a consistent learning journey
What adaptive learning does first and foremost is adapt. It adapts everything:
- Content to the learner’s pace and ability
- Recommendations and responses to the learner’s learning and work goals
- Quizzes to the current level of knowledge, etc.
The result is custom study plans curated by a tutor (or mentor) and artificial intelligence. Even better, AI identifies not only the student’s strengths but also the areas that need strengthening. Learners who encounter problems or have learning difficulties are not left alone with the problem. In contrast, adaptive learning is designed to provide real-time feedback, lesson adjustments, and prompts for the next steps, giving learners the support they need and a clear and achievable learning path.
Real-time testing
Assessment has traditionally been a delicate moment because it is the tests, quizzes, or other forms of evaluation that show whether the material has been learned. It is also the moment of truth when not only the individual learner, but also the instructor, mentor, or management can see whether the money and time spent on training was wasted or beneficial. At this stage, it’s very important to provide tests and questions that are challenging but not demotivating. This is exactly what artificial intelligence does as the main driver of adaptive learning. Learners get just the right level of assessment that is both challenging and motivating. Let’s face it, a tough win tastes sweeter.
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AI for adaptive learning: How technology enriches the learning process
With all of the above in mind, let’s outline the key benefits we all gain from adaptive learning with AI at its core.
Better accessibility
AI accessibility tools, some of which we’ve already listed above, help learners with disabilities easily access and interact with content. This is perhaps the most important benefit of using AI in e-learning while delivering adaptive learning.
Personalized learning regardless of the number of students
AI delivers a personalized learning experience tailored to each learner. It doesn’t matter if you have 5 or 5,000 learners – everyone will get the type of interaction with an LMS or other AI-powered tool that’s right for them.
Design solutions that meet users’ needs
AI courses, as well as platforms in general, adapt to current trends in UI/UX, as well as the behavioral trends of specific learners, rather than statistical data.
Effective digitization of your business
Are you implementing automation into your business processes? If so, you need to train your employees on how to interact with new technologies. With an LMS or other personalized adaptive learning solution, you can equip your employees with the real-life skills, not the ephemeral ones, they need to make your business thrive.
Real-time customization
AI adjusts content and assessments on the fly, making learning moderately challenging yet motivating. In other words, the learning environment becomes dynamic, manageable, and effective.
Your AI eLearning solution is the best out there
Why is that? Because AI learns from its own data, which means that eLearning software and materials cannot become outdated. On the contrary, all the components of a dynamic learning environment adapt to the way people learn, their needs, goals, outcomes, and other factors. The result is not an off-the-shelf tool, but one that is tailored to your learners and your organization.
Conclusion
The future of AI-powered eLearning is promising and exciting, especially given the constant development of AI tools. It pays to be prepared for the challenges of the future, especially the growing need for personalization. The best practices of personalized learning, namely adaptive learning, should be implemented now. But personalization is not the only thing that all involved need to focus on. Inclusion and accessibility of learning are also top priorities. As you can see, learning technologies address these needs, so we just need to adopt the most effective ones and keep an eye on the market.
