Intelligent Tutors
How do you think today’s students will interpret the motivating aspects of adaptive learning’s core element – intelligent tutors?
Jo Ann,
It can be anything. But usually they will show up as a voice over avatar. Thanks for being in the class.
Renee Shaffer
I believe students will like the immediate feedback they can receive through Intelligent Tutors. I think it depends on the tutor as to whether or not it will be motivating - is it a avatar, what type of voice does it have, is it jsut text on a screen?
Jill,
Really good point. There are things that need to be covered but our hands on lab work can be way more involved, useful, and interesting for our students. Thanks for being in the class.
Renee Shaffer
The degree I teach is a hands on degree, so it is nice being able to use technology to free up additional time for lab work instead of lecture.
Matt
Good points. It is also good to help the older studdnt through the process and give them your reasoning for teaching this way.
Renee Shaffer
I think most of the young students will find the core elements of adaptive learning competently natural. Many students are already busy teaching themselves outside of school through the use of today's technology. By incorporating into formal education, the student will continue learning in a more natural and familiar way.
Older student may not be as quick to understand the new techniques. Having gone through years of education in a completely different learning environment can lead students to avoid the new method, or think of them as less serious and not as valuable.
Todd,
I agree with your points. As long as the adaptive learning aids the instructor and doesn't take their place, I think that the process will work well for everyone.
Renee Shaffer
I believe that today’s student is part of an age group that would not only welcome intelligent tutoring but rely heavily on it. In this age of technology many would undoubtedly anticipate some form of technology in their educational experience. Having an intelligent tutor available 24/7 providing feedback and self-assessment is exactly what technology has brought society as a whole to expect.
As suggested in the reading, I also agree that the intelligent tutor would help eliminate the anxiety and embarrassment of a student having to acknowledge that they did not know something or was having difficulties grasping a particular concept.
With that said however, there are several excellent points brought up in the discussion. The lack of soft skills, the quality of the tutorial platform, dumbing-down content, student achievement vs. student learning, and of course seeing it as replacing the instructor.
Overall I believe in the adaptive learning concept realizing that it is only an aid for the instructor and not a replacement. Adaptive learning only augments the educational experience and we as educators must proceed with cautious intent never forgetting our charge; student success.
Jill,
yes, we find it true every day that those soft skills are being lost by younger students in particular.
Renee Shaffer
I would have to agree. The academic technology that provides immediate feedback, fast- nearly unlimited access- as computers do, seem to eliminate the experience of face-to-face socialization skills. Although students may favor 24 hour instructor/tutor, many soft skills necessary for the work force are poorly developed.
Sydney,
Sometimes all they need is a helping hand or a push forward.
Renee Shaffer
Students are excited about being able to access the course at whatever time they have available-day or night.
Students enjoy staying connected.
Students enjoy being challenged.
Students do feel review may be beneficial and therefore proceed at their own pace.
I think that students will interpret intelligent tutors as helpful. In a traditional class room setting, students may not be able to determine which areas they need extra assistance with until they have already received a bad grade on a quiz or test. With an intelligent tutor, students will be able to be proactive and learn which areas they can improve in before they falter. Therefore, I feel that students will find intelligent tutors to be very beneficial.
Annette,
yes, that is so true. I sometimes feel like a dinosaur with all of the changes happening.
Renee Shaffer
being an instructor in a technology based school I have found that while students pick up on the technology end quickly but are lacking in the social skills needed to work with others. in some ways technology is taking the human aspect out.
Times sure have changed in the world of education even within the last 5 years. More and more colleges (and society as a whole) are increasing technology usage and its acceptance into our daily activities. So much of educational technology markets the fact that you can study anywhere at any time. The ability to have access to coaching 24/7 is essential in our bustling environment. I do believe that the majority of the students, perhaps within a younger crowd accept the non-human contact. Outside of that there might be some that still would like personal contact with their instructor.
Helen,
I agree that the no student left behind mentality has been detrimental to most student's interest in actually learning.
Renee Shaffer
Most students will interpret the intelligent tutor as a major element available to them. They know that the intelligent tutor is available to them 24 hours a day. If they have a question the intelligent tutor is there to guide them. It will also be there to supply them with additional resources that can aid making vague concepts clear.
I agree that most/many students are not interested in learning for learning's sake. I think the no student left behind mentality contributes to that. I think that even if you have highly motivated students it will entail much more time on the instructor's part. But that in itself is the reward. We are trying to get our students into more adaptive learning and they are so unmotivated that we have to give them points just to use it! I personally think having the student go at his own pace is brilliant as long as there is no deadline to meet. It can be a real drag in the classroom trying to get slower learners to keep up and more difficult due to time constraints. I do personally enjoy the feedback that I get in a classroom though as well. So I guess I'm a little conflicted about the concept in general. I do think motivated learners can learn in just about any environment.
