History of Adaptive Learning
Growing up, did you ever experience adaptive learning in your schools? If so, what did it consist of?
Adel ,
I am too a proponent of the face to face learning environment and it takes some getting used to the new online environment.
Renee Shaffer
I think the face-to-face aspect of traditional learning is invaluable. Whenever my colleagues have taken online courses the main complaint was that the instructor is not available for questions and they must wait for an email to be answered. I imagine that for students who truly struggle with the material that this would cause a great deal of frustration. However, there are advantages to be able to profess at your own pace and comfort level without having to worry about keeping up or acting like you "get it" to not be embarassed.
I can't recall a specific time where adaptive learning has been part of my educational experience. However, adapting to students needs and mastery levels are the essential makeup to an effective/successful instructor. I do realize that this might be unrealistic in a large class size and very difficult depending on the topic or grade level. I found with my own educational experiences that more often than not the norm for most institutions were to follow their own agenda (keep going despite the students who are left behind). This could be because of time restraints and quantity of subjects needing to be taught. With the "No Child Left Behind" approach, the students who understand and need to move forward with learning suffer from those who the instructor must cater to. In return both systems are slightly broken. I'm not sure what the answer is. Economically sound decisions are made but ultimately the academic side seems to suffer. I'm not sure where the happy medium is.
Helen,
Being a "people" person, I enjoy the face to face of a classroom.
Renee Shaffer
I personally enjoy a classroom setting when I am a student. However, I do like the idea of going at your own pace with adaptive learning. The whole time I was reading about adaptive learning I kept thinking that these modules from CEE are adaptive learning classes! And I do enjoy them, but I don't do them on my own out of my own motivation. We are required to take a certain amount each year and so, unfortunately, that is my motivation :(
I personally enjoy a classroom setting when I am a student. However, I do like the idea of going at your own pace with adaptive learning. The whole time I was reading about adaptive learning I kept thinking that these modules from CEE are adaptive learning classes! And I do enjoy them, but I don't do them on my own out of my own motivation. We are required to take a certain amount each year and so, unfortunately, that is my motivation :(
I personally enjoy a classroom setting when I am a student. However, I do like the idea of going at your own pace with adaptive learning. The whole time I was reading about adaptive learning I kept thinking that these modules from CEE are adaptive learning classes! And I do enjoy them, but I don't do them on my own out of my own motivation. We are required to take a certain amount each year and so, unfortunately, that is my motivation :(
Dale,
Yes, I struggled with math as well as statistics then in M.Ed and PhD. I truly beleive that adaptive learning would have helped me because I really needed someone (something) right there helping me every step of the way.
Renee Shaffer
Nikki,
Do you think there are students who need/want just plain old fashion classroom teaching? Face to face with a Professor in a structured environment?
Renee,
I did not experience adaptive learning growing up. My experience was more traditional based learning. Read the material, hear the lecture, take the test. Although I earned a PhD, I can tell you school was never easy for me. I struggled with this concept. I can only wonder how well, I would have done, given the chance to use an adaptive learning model?
Nikki,
Yes, adaptive learning should ultimately be for the student but often times, the educational institution also wins.
Renee Shaffer
The adaptive learning in which I have experienced is not at all how the lesson is conveying. The adaptive learning I know of was pretty much geared towards those who had learning challenges and needed IEPs or any other plan to help meet milestones or standards. The schools were quick to put a child in special ed simply because he or she did not understand the lesson. Well, I have learned that this is not always about the student but the method used to teach. Not everyone can understand by reading, just as others may learn better visually. The adaptive learning helps educators to meet the needs of the students instead of the students meeting the needs of the education system.
