Adaptivelearning

A Learning Seat white paper

Adaptive learning is an educational method being adopted globally by top universities1, securing millions in investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation2, and now gaining traction

in corporate learning and development. It’s on the rise and offers huge potential for reshaping organisational learning. But what is it, and what value does it offer organisations?

Adaptive learning acknowledges that people come to

learning situations with different goals, strengths, learning

gaps and preferences. It’s a shift away from the ‘one-size-fits-

all’ approach, using technology and learner data to serve up

learning experiences tailored for individual users.

Milano, B. (2017, Feb 2). Adaptive learning featured in HarvardX course. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/02/adaptive-learning-featured-in-harvardx-course/

(2014, Sept 30). Gates Foundation Announces Finalists for $20 Million in Digital Courseware Investments. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2014/09/Gates-Foundation-Announces-Finalists-for-$20-Million-in-Digital-Courseware-Investments

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Tauber, T. & Johnson, D. (2014) Meet the Modern Learner (Infographic). Bersin by Deloitte. Retrieved from https://www.bersin.com/Practice/Detail.aspx?id=18071

The workplace and the way we do our jobs have changed dramatically over recent years. Workers have changed as well. We are more connected, feel more bombarded and have less time than ever, yet we have higher expectations for what and how we learn at work3. Organisations are challenged to provide ongoing development that’s captivating, continuous, tailored and available on demand. Pushing out the same content in a predictable pattern to all employees is no longer good business. Adaptive learning is emerging as an effective approach for keeping pace with this change.

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Adaptive learning provides individualised learning programs by using technology to gather data from the user during the learning process. Online media streaming services offer similar functionality; our searches, selections, clicks and likes determine the movies we’re recommended, the songs we hear and the even the news we see. In much the same way, adaptive learning uses technology to tailor learning experiences to users’ preferences and learning needs, based on their actions and performance.

Tailored learning

ADAPTIVE LEARNING?

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LEARNER DATA

LEARNINGPROGRAM

PERSONAL LEARNINGEXPERIENCE

LEARNER

LEARNERACTIONS

WHAT IS

Learning that works

By giving learners what they need and in ways they like, adaptive learning creates more effective and efficient learning experiences. Rather than working through a learning program from start to finish – accessing all content and completing all activities – adaptive learning takes the learner to the content that they need, by assessing what they already know and what they still need to learn.

Today, 21st century approaches to learning celebrate difference and acknowledge that learning experiences must be shaped to fit the student, not the other way around. In truth, learner personalisation has been a challenge for elearning, where, too often, learning solutions tend towards one-size-fits-most. Adaptive learning changes this. It allows us to create elearning that responds to individual learners, meets them where they are and provides just what they need.

The next chapter in elearning

The success of adaptive learning lies in its core characteristics, which make it distinct from more traditional online learning experiences.

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Learners access different content

in non-linear ways. Therefore, course

content is created as standalone chunks

and presented to learners in

manageable bite-sized servings.

An individual learner’s data

determines their pathway through

the course content, rather than course

developers’ hunches about what all learners need.

Content and delivery adapt to the learner, depending on their

preferences and learning needs.

The result can be highly tailored

and individualised elearning.

Learners make different responses,

selections and choices – the course adapts accordingly, which means that

learners have different course

experiences.

Instead of visiting all content, learners can concentrate on what they need. Bite-sized

content reduces the amount of filler and keeps learners

focused on essential information.

One-size-fits-all Static Wide-ranging

Personalised Dynamic Focused

Lengthy Developer-driven

Bite-sized Data-driven

Adaptive learning, with its reliance on technology and data, is primed for use in online learning environments. It’s developing alongside rapid advancement in technology and radical changes in workplaces and corporate learning. Therefore,

adaptive learning works best when optimised for how we live, work and learn in the modern world. For example, Learning Seat’s new compliance refresher suite delivers a simple adaptive learning solution with the following features.

Mobile optimised

Pre-assessment

Rich media, including video

Modularised, bite-sized content

The suite was developed with a mobile-first approach. The result is a stunning user experience on all devices, large and small.

Scenario-based assessment questions check learners’ prior knowledge and tailor the content accordingly.

Content is presented in videos, audio formats and other media that are easy to digest and provide maximum engagement.

Each topic in the suite has been carefully chunked. Bites of content are presented in manageable sections that maximise learning.

The content is presented in a social media app format. Nuggets of information are served up to learners as ‘posts’ in a newsfeed.

Behavioural learning checks allow learners to apply what they have learned and reflect on their progress, while improving knowledge retention.

Content presented in a curated style

Learning checks

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SUIT MODERN WORKERS?

Tailoring is everything

Most Australians use the internet daily4. The way we connect, shop, play and watch online also shapes our expectations for work-related internet use. Today, websites offer a personalised experience, based on browsing habits or social media behaviour. Why should workers be satisfied with mass-delivered content for workplace training? Tailored content is fast becoming the norm online5, and adaptive learning has created opportunities to extend this trend to elearning.

A staggering two thirds of white-collar workers say they don’t have enough time to do their job and, in a typical week, most workers have just 1% of their work hours to dedicate to training and development6. In today’s workplaces, people simply don’t have time for ‘nice to know’ information when learning. We want our questions answered precisely and at speed. Adaptive learning experiences are, by their very design, leaner than traditional elearning courses. A modularised structure helps learners save time by allowing them to skip content they already know and focus on the essentials – minimising cognitive load.

Time stops for no-one

Although adaptive learning has its roots in tertiary education, it’s fast being adopted by savvy organisations for corporate learning. Here’s why.

Consumer Barometer with Google. Retrieved from https://www.consumerbarometer.com/en/

Forbes Insights & PwC Content Survey. (2016). Leading with customer-focused content: driving growth through personalised experiences. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.nl/nl/assets/documents/pwc-leading-with-customer-focused-content.pdf

Tauber, T. & Johnson, D., op cit.

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WHY DOES ADAPTIVE LEARNING

Learning on demand and on the go

In today’s work climate, it’s hardly reasonable to expect a group of workers to access training at the same place, at the same time, and about the same topic. We often work from several locations, structuring our time in non-traditional ways to meet the demands of work and home life. Furthermore, teams of workers will rarely have the same learning needs. Workers need access to learning on demand that focuses on what they need right now. When adaptive learning exploits the best that technology can offer, workers can access their training anywhere, at any time, and on any device to address their immediate requirements.

Our appetite and attention for longform videos and articles has all but vanished. With social media leading the way, we now expect bite-sized content optimised for busy lives, short attention spans and quick consumption. Video, of course, is king, although anything longer than four minutes is a no-no7. Adaptive elearning, with its modular structure, lends itself perfectly to a variety of presentation styles within the one course, such as photo galleries, listicles, vlogs, explainer videos and short podcasts. With modern learners expecting a mosaic of curated learning experiences8, bite-sized content that is mixed, matched and presented over time is well placed to satisfy.

Variety and curation

Tauber, T. & Johnson, D., op cit.

Bersin, J. (2016). Predictions for 2016: A Bold New World of Talent, Leadership, and HR Technology Ahead. Bersin by Deloitte. Retrieved from: http://blog.bersin.com/the-bold-new-world-of-talent-predictions-for-2016

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ADAPTIVE ELEARNING?Research into the use of adaptive learning in tertiary education is showing promising results for achievement levels and learner engagement9. The key benefits of adaptive elearning for corporate development are summarised in the diagram below.

(2013). Learning to Adapt: A Case for Accelerating Adaptive Learning in Higher Education. Tyton Partners. Retrieved from: http://tytonpartners.com/library/accelerating-adaptive-learning-in-higher-education/

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KEYBENEFITS

EFFECTIVE

HIGH ENGAGEMENTCONTINUOUS

IMPROVEMENT

EFFICIENT

The data that some adaptive programs collect about learners can be used for

wider benefits than tailoring courses for individual users. This data can be mined

by program creators and workplaces to identify areas of need across a

cohort, or influence program improvements.

While shorter learning time isn’t necessarily a goal of adaptive learning, it is a positive effect. By only focusing on what they need to know, workers enjoy

reduced training time.

By focusing on their areas of need, learners concentrate their energy

where it needs to be. Learning goals are more likely to be met

and at a faster rate.

Adaptive learning is learner-centred; it acknowledges not just individual

learners’ needs but also how modern workers want to learn.

This leads to higher engagement in learning experiences for a

wider range of users.

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WHAT ARETHE BENEFITS OF

ADAPTIVE LEARNING

Learning Seat is Asia Pacific’s leading compliance training expert. We specialise in providing holistic compliance solutions that protect our clients’ brands and people so that their businesses can thrive.

We’ve recently launched the first topics in our refresher compliance suite. The suite uses pre-assessment functionality and simple adaptive learning techniques to provide shorter seat times

and legally compliant training. The suite is intended as refresher training for workers that have already completed foundation compliance training.

At Learning Seat we are committed to changing workplace behaviour for good. Get in touch to find out more about how we can engage your people through our compliance offering.

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