5 things to consider when deploying adaptive learning programmes

For years, corporate learning pathways have been driven by the L&D teams. They’ve supplied a variety of programs to support upskilling and reskilling of the workforce – from which the business chooses those that best align with its requirements.

But now this needs to change.

Our fast-paced market demands more, and current methods cannot keep up. Your workforce needs a program that’s tailored to everyone’s unique position and needs, not a one-size-fits-all scheme. It’s time to break free from years of monotony and start to learn outside of the lines.

Enter adaptive learning. This new approach is powered by AI algorithms that assess comprehension in real-time and automatically customise lessons to each learner’s strengths, needs and pace. It’s transforming training and education by dramatically improving engagement, retention and outcomes.

This new method is quickly gaining traction amongst corporate learning providers and there are an increasing number of options for businesses to choose from. However, a successful adaptive learning program requires thoughtful preparation and planning ahead of implementation.

What key factors should be top of mind for making this transition? Here are five essential aspects to consider before going adaptive:

1.  Define goals and objectives

Before you get started, you first need to outline what precise skills, knowledge, and competencies you want your learners to harness. Consider what training needs or gaps you want to address.

Spend time mapping out all desired goals and objectives and align them to organisational priorities and pain points. It is also crucial to get input from stakeholders here as the more clearly you can define “what” and “why” upfront, the better you can tailor adaptive learning elements to meet those needs. You’ll create learning experiences that deliberately develop the exact skills and knowledge you outlined.

2. Plan for continuous improvement

Adaptive learning shines brightest when the program evolves fluidly based on learner needs. Robust feedback loops and data analysis should therefore be built in to continually refine the experience.

By analysing metrics around engagement, comprehension, and completion, you gain insight into how learners are interacting with adaptive elements – which your customers will find invaluable. Couple these analytics with qualitative feedback gathered directly from learners and stakeholders.

Equipped with these inputs, opportunities arise to optimise the program. The flexibility of adaptive learning allows for rapid adjustments, whether it’s reinforcing struggling topics or contextualising abstract concepts.

3. Support learner success

At its core, adaptive learning is about realising human potential. Though the technology provides personalised pathways, true success depends on learner engagement

Start by being transparent about the adaptive learning process so learners feel empowered, not controlled. Explain how the technology tracks progress and delivers customised experiences based on individual needs.

Learning milestones should be celebrated to motivate learners on their journey. Share regular feedback on advancement through the adaptive learning pathway. It’s also important to facilitate connections between peers through collaborative workspaces, messaging channels and discussion forums. The cohort bonds that form make learners feel part of a community that can often be missing from online experiences.

Investing in this human side of adaptive learning proves just as crucial as choosing the right technology. Only supported, motivated learners will thrive and achieve their potential.

4. Incorporate diverse content and collaboration

The beauty of adaptive learning lies in its versatility. By incorporating diverse content types and features, your program will be able to speak to different learning styles, boost engagement, and improve retention.

Bring concepts to life through short videos that demonstrate procedures in action. Have learners apply knowledge by working through simulations of real-world scenarios and reinforce lessons through knowledge checks and quizzes that identify comprehension gaps.

Collaboration features are also key. While adaptive learning personalises the experience, learners should not feel isolated. Enable idea exchange via shared annotations on content and allow peers to bond through messaging channels and shared workspaces.

By incorporating a symphony of formats and activities, you can maximise interactivity within the adaptive learning experience. This way, learners will remain immersed in the experience while connecting with others on the learning journey.

5. Select the right tools

Behind every great adaptive learning approach is powerful technology built for the job. Look for programs with robust algorithms that assess comprehension, identify knowledge gaps, and recommend personalised content accordingly.

With the right technology, you can scale personalised learning, ensuring that learners receive customised education from day one. It will also allow you to gain holistic insights to refine the program over time.

This is where OBRIZUM has helped organisations to shine. Our adaptive learning platform is purpose-built to offer maximum personalisation and insight where learners are assessed on proficiency to deliver targeted recommendations.

Educators are also given the tools to quickly build interactive microlearning modules, scenarios and tests to reinforce knowledge, while our real-time analytics provides visibility to what is working at across all levels.

The outcome is a learning pathway that is perfectly tailored to each person’s strengths and needs – at scale. By combining human insight with robust adaptive learning technologies, OBRIZUM can help you create the ideal conditions for success.