Plus: How to use adaptive learning technology in the classroom
Some students dread analytical subjects like math and science, while others find creative pursuits particularly challenging. In these moments of struggle, students often need one-on-one guidance from their teacher.
With increasing classroom sizes, hybrid learning, and other barriers placed in front of them, how can educators give their students the attention they deserve?
With adaptive learning techniques.
Adaptive learning involves using flexible teaching strategies and educational technology to develop better learning outcomes. This may involve putting them in touch with one of the many educational aids on Promethean’s ActivPanel interactive display.
When struggling students are given extra support, the results can be extraordinary. Keep reading for insight with adaptive learning strategies in your classroom.
Adaptive learning yields real results
Adaptive learning strategies translate to real-world learning results. Taking a flexible approach to guiding classroom activity is no new invention – but with the addition of AI and adaptive learning technologies, students receive a highly individualized learning experience.
For decades, adaptive learning models have been tried and tested throughout the country with great effect. Researchers find that adaptive learning provides a variety of practical benefits.
Improved learning outcomes
Adaptive learning improves achievement outcomes across the K-12 spectrum and across different areas of study. An intensive study published in 2019 found that more adaptive, student-centered methods of instruction have a “moderate positive effect” on student achievement compared to less student‐centered methods.
Researchers found this to be true across all grade levels and in STEM and non-STEM courses. That means adaptive learning works for all levels of ability in all areas of study.
Adaptive learning also leads to higher pass rates for students. ASU and Colorado Technical University’s adoption of adaptive learning technology resulted in an exam pass rate increase of up to 27%. This dramatically improved the exam scores of students who had previously struggled under a one-size-fits-all learning model.
Confidence in independent learning
Adaptive learning enables students to take an individual approach to how they learn.
Cultural understanding and diversity
Adaptive learning supports differentiated instruction, creating a more diverse and inclusive classroom. Incorporating a variety of different learning styles and cultural considerations helps to make students of all backgrounds feel more comfortable.
Adaptive learning allows educators to better address students with learning disabilities such as ADHD or autism by giving teachers more tools to engage with different styles of learners.
Scalability for high achievers
Adaptive learning provides academically gifted students – as well as those who struggle to perform – a unique and effective learning experience. This is because educators can provide students with material that more accurately suits their abilities.
Meaningful interaction
As well as providing students with more customized learning opportunities, adaptive learning technologies give educators the ability to connect with students in real time. They can give them immediate feedback on their assignments whether they’re in class or following along from home.
This immediate feedback helps them to course-correct before it begins to impact their overall success.
When students are made to feel validated through one-on-one instruction time and lessons customized for them, it drives student proficiency and self-confidence. Students who feel empowered by their teachers are more likely to engage with their material and thrive in the classroom.
How does adaptive learning technology help teachers?
Even the most admirable super-teachers can’t develop individualized lessons for an entire classroom of children. Thankfully, adaptive learning technology offers educators many attractive benefits.
- Adaptive learning technology helps educators gain more control over how they deliver their lessons through mediums like video, interactive gaming, or live demonstration.
- Adaptive learning software brings educators together. Create, edit, and share lessons with other educators all across the country. This cuts down on time spent creating lesson plans from scratch and promotes inter-classroom collaboration.
- AI-assisted learning software cuts through tedious busywork such as performance assessment and assignment grading, leaving educators with more time to dedicate to instruction.
Adaptive learning technology offers real-time performance monitoring for students, tracking key information about their assignments such as:
- Time spent answering a question
- How many questions were correctly answered
- Which related subjects need improvement
- Classroom performance rankings
Like with most edtech, educators can make adjustments to their learning software to better align with their teaching style. In fact, adaptive learning systems can even make their own protocol adjustments on the fly – adjusting their teaching strategy in much the same way an educator would.
Some of the best easy-to-use adaptive learning apps & platforms
Adaptive learning technology encompasses a broad range of unique tools and programs. Mastering these programs helps maintain control over the classroom and improves lesson plans without interrupting learning.
Knewton
New York-based adaptive learning software Knewton seeks to serve one purpose: to provide educators with access to as much high-quality data as possible.
Knewton’s platform uses bespoke algorithms and learning analytics to provide educators with data on their students, their coursework, and related subjects. Since its initial development in 2008, Knewton has been implemented in over 23 edu-companies and higher learning institutions across the country.
Today, they provide hundreds of educators with the tools they need to better gauge their student’s mastery of the coursework.
Pearson Interactive Labs
Edu-tech giant Pearson has found resounding success in recent years with the introduction of their adaptive learning platform, Pearson Interactive Labs.
Modeled after real-life lab practices, students can simulate any number of activities to prepare them for work in a physical science lab. These risk-free mock lab settings are an exceptional tool for teaching students the scientific method and building up the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a real lab.
This platform doesn’t just dramatically reduce the cost traditionally associated with large classroom activities. It also allows students to retry their experiments over again, giving them the ability to spend more time and care on a lesson than they would have had in a physical setting.
Promethean ActivInspire and Explain Everything
ActivInspire is an interactive teaching software, specifically designed to help teachers create more engaging lessons. Loaded with a variety of useful apps and aids, ActivInspire is the ultimate tool for educators looking to take control of lesson delivery.
Explain Everything by Promethean unites two of the biggest names in education technology to offer what’s sure to be a revolutionary software platform for interactive and engaged teaching and learning. Together, we’re developing an exciting roadmap toward our goal of giving teachers unparalleled power to create and deliver lessons like never before.
Educators can monitor individual progress on assignments, engage whole classrooms with online activities and virtual demonstrations, or use video calls to collaborate with other classrooms in real-time.
Adaptive learning technology in the classroom: Promethean makes it easy!
Adaptive learning technology has found its way into nearly every classroom across America – and for good reason.
Educators who use adaptive learning strategies in conjunction with AI and virtual learning technologies find themselves better equipped to deliver individualized education to their students. Students with access to adaptive learning are often more engaged, more responsive, and develop higher levels of academic self-confidence than their peers.
When it comes to adaptive learning technology, few do it better than Promethean. Find out why thousands of teachers across the country are switching to interactive smart panels and online learning software.
Request a demo today to see the Promethean ActivPanel in action.
