Adaptive and Prescriptive Learning Methods – Do They Actually Work?
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Adaptive Learning
Adaptive learning is an educational theory that defines methods of leveraging computer algorithms to orchestrate system interactions with the learner and deliver customized resources and learning activities that attempt to address a learner’s unique needs.
A typical adaptive learning course would provide the opportunity for the learner to indicate their perceived competency in the subject (novice, intermediate, expert, etc.) and then “adapt” the delivery of the course materials by skipping topics that are keyed as being below the indicated threshold. More advanced systems re-calibrate the competency level based on learner achievement during the lesson.
Adaptive learning requires that courses and lessons be developed using a framework to enable the process to “adapt” to the learner. Simply adding an existing course provided by a third-party library vendor or loading a course developed with a standard authoring tool (Articulate, Captivate, Toolbook, etc.) into an "adaptive learning platform" will not magically convert these courses into adaptive learning lessons.
The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) and the xAPI standards provide well documented methodologies and specifications to support adaptive learning program development.
Before jumping in the deep end of the pool, I strongly recommend leveraging the SCORM 2004 standard to develop a series of adaptive learning prototypes to determine if your program requirements would significantly benefit from implementation of adaptive learning on a wider scale.
Before purchasing an "adaptive learning platform", check to see if your existing Learning Management System (LMS) implements SCORM 2004 or higher. If it does, you do not need a separate platform to implement a robust adaptive learning program.
If you do decide to purchase an adaptive learning platform, make sure that it fully supports the SCORM standard, including all Run-Time Environment (RTE) data elements. Many “adaptive learning platforms” claim to support SCORM but do not capture all of the data from eLearning lessons. This is a serious deficiency that results in inadequate record-keeping and loss of critical data (exam performance, test-item statistics, learning objective accomplishments, etc.). Some adaptive learning suppliers claim to use “artificial intelligence” in their applications to enhance the adaptive learning process results. These claims are highly suspect as the results of these platforms do not have a track record of producing improved results over time as would be expected from an AI-based technology.
Adaptive learning courses are highly suitable for general education topics and soft-skills. The adaptive learning methodology holds promise for organizations that are in the process of converting instructor-led courses to online delivery and are willing to expend the labor required to architect their new courses to enable adaptation to occur. Adaptive learning has been used for continuing education programs that are not time-based with decent results.
Adaptive learning has not proven to be effective for certification or licensing programs. Because certain concepts and content elements may be skipped or inadequately measured, the adaptive learning approach has not proven suitable for high-stakes learning programs (safety, security, regulated industries, etc.). Adaptive learning advocates claim that the process improves “time-to-readiness” by as much as 50%. Careful review of the supporting data used to make these claims reveals that the actual results are often less than 10% and the achievement level of the learners can be negatively affected by the process.
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Prescriptive Learning
Prescriptive learning is an educational method which uses expert system technologies to assess individual learner competencies and deliver prescriptive learning assets to enable the learner to meet the unique needs of the organization.
Prescriptive learning leverages the Reusable Learning Object (RLO) methodology of lesson development to assign assets, lessons and lesson aggregations to learners. A typical prescriptive learning program is designed to enable a learner to achieve a desired level of competency required to perform their job and/or prepare them for future assignments. In this regard, prescriptive learning is highly supportive of organizational talent management. Prescriptive learning programs are capable of assessing the needs of the individual based on a myriad of factors, including all prior learning accomplishments, performance, and changes in program requirements over time.
“In the prescriptive learning methodology, competence of the individual is the primary goal; not speed of completion.”
Most prescriptive learning programs are developed by assigning RLOs to content aggregations or pipelines with both mandatory and elective sequencing. The standards associated with prescriptive learning content are mature, well-defined and accepted within the industry. All major eLearning authoring technologies support the RLO methodology as defined by the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM).
In prescriptive learning, expert system technology is used to assign individuals to learning pipelines and to enable elements within the pipeline to be included or skipped if certain conditions are met (a record of equivalent learning accomplishment does/does not exist, an exam score threshold is achieved/failed, success/difficulty in a prior assignment, etc.). The more advanced prescriptive learning technologies provide the following capabilities:
Prescriptive learning programs are widely used for personnel qualifications and high-stakes learning programs (safety, security, licensing, regulated industries, etc.).?Prescriptive learning is widely accepted as the best model for individual licensing, certification, and maintenance of professional qualifications.
How to Get Started
If your company does not have the expertise, technology or resources to implement an Adaptive or Prescriptive Learning strategy, there are several companies that provide exactly what you need to achieve the benefits of this methodology. KMSI has been providing these solutions for over 20 years. We have the technology and documented processes that have enabled our clients to produce ROIs greater that 5000%.
We have assisted our clients with implementation of programs in each of the methodologies discussed above. Our solutions tend to have three major components:
Of course we would love to work with your organization, but the more important issue is taking the first step towards leveraging the methodologies discussed above to improve the success of your organization for all stakeholders.
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About KMSI
KMSI provides learning, talent and performance management software solutions, Internet application hosting and professional services. Our service teams are managed by industry leaders implementing proven processes designed to be leveraged across practices. KMSI has designed performance improvement strategies for many of the largest organizations in the world. KMSI provides training development, instructional content conversion and other specialty and implementation services. Visit www.kmsi.com to learn more.