10/13/2017 1 Comment Is adaptive learning the ideal?After considering several sources of research, I am able to acknowledge both the pros and cons of both adaptive learning and personalized learning, and I could still be swayed to see both sides of either argument. I can see how some may view adaptive learning and personalized learning as mutually exclusive, but I also understand how they are similar. In fact, one source refers to adaptive learning as a technique for providing personalized learning.
You can see some of the main differences, as well as some similarities, in the chart below: Now, I am certainly not one to speak against individualizing instruction or utilizing technology in the classroom. I do, however, believe there is a time and place for everything and do not believe that an entire class should be focused around any one specific software. Teachers spend at least four years being specially trained in their field of expertise, and I think bringing in a software such as Knewton, discredits the role of the instructor. Knewton also emphasizes the fact that no two students are. I don’t think many people would disagree with this idea, but I also don’t think many people would agree that each student needs his or her own, highly unique instruction and assessments. In my experience, students learn best when they co-construct meaning together. Students enjoy learning when it is presented as a social process rather than an isolated one. Some people are concerned about students who struggle with learning concepts at a quick pace, but adaptive learning technologies make it so the student can earn at his or her own pace. Adaptive learning technologies also offer interactive problem solving support. This feature allows students to see the reasoning behind their mistakes and offers explanations to increase understanding. A question that remains is: how does the computer know if the student is simply having an “off” day and is in need of a five minute break rather than to be shown solutions to the problem in front of him or her? A teacher, after building a relationship with the student, is able to know when a student just isn’t in the headspace to learn and needs a break. A computer program cannot afford such a connection and can therefore, end up imposing more stress on the already stressed student. Knewton also explains that their software allows for the “rote” learning to be completed at home, but what about the students who do not have the necessary technology or internet access at home? What about the students who do not have the home support necessary to complete their lessons? We have all had students who would not do homework regardless of the amount of home-school communication provided by the teacher. Are these students now missing out on the instruction? Or, if they are simply “catching up” during the school day, what are they missing out on then? There is research to demonstrate improvements on test scores, which offers anecdotal notes from professors, but I would love to read some anecdotes from students who have used adaptive learning technologies in their educational career. Adaptive learning technologies, while they may have some positive aspects to them, seem to take the fun out of learning and teaching. Sure lesson planning takes time, but it is part of the career I chose and I enjoy the process. My lessons are never the same from year to year because as John Dewey said, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” I fully understand that adaptive technology is uniquely teaching each student with a variety of methods, but who is to say that the student can take that knowledge and apply it to a broader context? Strong teachers incorporate the Bloom’s taxonomy hierarchy into their lesson objectives. How can an adaptive technology learning software encourage or assess a student’s ability to create, design, assemble, or construct something with the knowledge he or she has just remembered and possibly analyzed? Additionally, today’s Common Core State Standards mandate real-world application of skills. Having lessons and assessments be mainly computer based, would hinder the ability of achieving these national standards in all classrooms. The presentational standards would also be hard to achieve. Personalized learning would allow for the Common Core State Standards to be met because teachers could incorporate presentations and real-world applications into their objectives. However, teachers who utilized personalized learning reported major challenges, such as not having enough time to craft customized lessons for each student. Rather than investing in an adaptive learning software, or spending hours a day creating a completely individualized lesson for every child, every day, I would rather engage my class in project based learning. Project based learning would ensure that students are working together to co-construct meaning and then use real-world application of their skills. It would also accommodate the opportunity for students to present their work, achieving part of the purpose of the Common Core State Standards. My question for supporters of adaptive learning is: Do you think their are students who try to beat the system by underperforming just to have easier problems, rather than challenging themselves? If so, what do you suggest teachers do to motivate this group?
1 Comment
Lauren Weatherly
10/17/2017 09:16:40 pm
I love this post Amanda, your analysis is really thought provoking!
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Amanda GOddardESL Department Head ArchivesCategories |