Decision Makers in Adaptive Learning
Who should make the decisions about adopting adaptive learning institutionally?
The decision should involve the curriculum development team. Instructors and Program Directors need to be directly involved in the process. Academic compliance personnel should also be involved in making sure any new learning programs meets state, federal and accrediting agency requirements.
Jill,
The grassroots process usually brings success!
Renee Shaffer
Institutionally I think the Director of Education needs to make the decision, but it should be with the input of the instructors and have a gradual change so that it would be quality and more likely to succeed.
Instructors, staff, program directors and upper management.
Definitely if given enough time beyond their teaching assignments to analyze their data and structure their courses in a way that will benefit the students. If they care about the "why" behind teaching they will want to oversee the adaptive tools. Time to do that...is always a challenge.
Annette,
Do you think that faculty will want to be overseeing the process?
Renee Shaffer
Virginia,
I like it how you would bring a team together when making decisions.
Renee Shaffer
This is certainly a multi-party decision. Initially, students will drive the need for adopting adaptive learning or not. Their success equals the success of the educational systems, faculty and ultimately society. Overseeing the process and analyzing the data should be in the hands of the faculty who are in the trenches carrying out the plan but also the academic administrators who help to support the faculty.
Instructors, early in the course development.
Student surveys.
System analysts.
IT
Administrative-regards to niche, and mission statement and core values.
Take into consideration the population that you are teaching (eg. age, socioeconomic status, learning styles, technology use and availability, etc.)
Have a committee of professionals with experience in course development.
Dale,
That is so true. It is so important to ask fro feedback from the stakeholders before making a decision.
Renee Shaffer
I think that ultimately, the decision to move forward with an adaptive learning model, will rest with the leadership of the institution. However, I think it is important to solicit feedback from those who will be working with it. This includes faculty, advisors, technical support, and of course students. Top level support is critical in the prose, but if you don't have support at the lower levels of the organization, it will fail.
To fit Adaptive Learning, as a methodology, into the instructional mix, I believe that decisions must be made at several levels. The Deans and Department Chairs of the different schools need to be engaged and leading the process within their specialty. However, some of the basic questions about funding and the the fundamental fit of Adaptive Learning to to the Mission of the University or College must be decided by the chief administrator and the Board that directs the strategic elements. Without top level support for the use that is supported with a lower level commitment to effective implementation the program would not be successful.
