Personalized Learning -- Adaptive Learning

I have spent most of today deep in discussion around personalized learning and adaptive learning — two of educations hot potatoes.

First, let us take personalized learning: Here, we are targeting individuals, addressing their needs, context, and individual goals; providing the right content, tools and experiences to help them learn and grow. Versus adaptive learning: Doing everything that personalized learning does, but 'live' and in the moment. Using algorithms adaptive learning technologies, detect a user's behaviour and provide personalized recommendations.

In this post, I'd like to consider the following questions concerning personalized and adaptive learning:

• Are these mutually exclusive or can they work together?

These two perspectives on personalization are not mutually exclusive. Student controlled learning experiences may lead to a deeper level of learning -- it is indeed a unique learning journey. In the same way, an automated education and digital environment may support a learning experience that allows students to feel more responsible and in control.

• Do you worry about the data-driven nature of adaptive learning?

​No. I mean the idea of artificial intelligence in education excites me. Technology can be a significant component of improving student learning -- if we let it. We should remember the idea of using data as a means to guide decisions made by school administrators and teachers is nothing new. We should not lose sight of that, because of 'buzz words.'

• Do you worry about the potential depersonalization of adaptive learning (or is this a myth)?

​I worry that someone would ever think about removing a teacher from the equation!
Is adaptive learning the ideal and personalized just a step along the way?
​I can see how we might use adaptive teaching to enhance differentiation to meet students' needs. Let's use it to slow the pace of learning down. I mean, can learning ever really "be late." Using algorithms and technologies to reduce cognitive load gets my vote! Through gamified mathematics is a great idea. Have you tried out Reflex Maths? Let me know your thoughts and ideas.

• If you were a policymaker and money was not an issue, what would you implement?

​If I were a policymaker in my school context, I would use adaptive learning as a diagnostic tool. I'd like to look into the use of adaptive learning programs further; also I would like to investigate how it might be used as a homework tool -- some sort of flipped classroom model or platform so that students would have targeted practice.

• How would you convince your faculty?

​As with most new tools and resources, I would use the enthusiasm of the "early adopters." As a technology integration coordinator, I would work with a curriculum coordinator to integrate and map opportunities for adaptive learning into the programme of inquiry/scope and sequence.

Feel free to leave your answers in the comment box. As always, I'd love what you all have to say.
David