PERSONALIZED, ADAPTIVE, AND COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION: DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

THE TENSIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

EMERGING DISRUPTORS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

TODAY’S CONVERSATION Review each of the approaches Adaptive Learning Personalized Learning Competency-Based Learning For each, consider the following: Definition Benefits and challenges Key considerations unique to each Data and learning What does this mean for my program?

ADAPTIVE LEARNING DEFINED Adaptive Learning strategies create a student learning experience that is modified based on a student’s performance and engagement with the course materials.

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES STUDENT: Immediate responsiveness The learning experience is specific Assessments are purposeful and results-driven FACULTY: Scaffolding the learning process is vital Successful programs are content/experience-heavy Allows targeted intervention for support when needed ADMINISTRATIVE: Investments in technologies and data analytics Rethinking term/course length and seat time in relation to learning objectives Appropriate intervention will ensure student success

KEY CONSIDERATIONS Clear indicators Meaningful assessments Faculty and mentor insight

COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION DEFINED Competency-Based Education shifts the focus from grades to mastery, emphasizing frequent, meaningful feedback that empowers students to take core responsibility for learning than in conventional models.

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES STUDENT: Allows for maximization of prior learning Most successful students are self-motivated and comfortable working fairly independently Can reduce costs and time to credential FACULTY: Essential to outcomes/competency definition and devising assessment tools Faculty role as learning and assessment facilitator Shift from one-to-many teaching to one-to-one learning ADMINISTRATIVE: Developing programs requires a significant investment of time and effort to launch No definitive standards for best practices Successful programs require engagement from faculty and success coaches/advisors

KEY CONSIDERATIONS Immediate Accurate Effective

PERSONALIZED LEARNING DEFINED A Personalized Learning experience provides learners with a custom study plan based on pre-assessment activities to suggest where a learner should focus his or her time to develop advanced skills and knowledge.

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES STUDENT: Allowed multiple paths through a given course or degree plan Paths are determined by prior knowledge, personal schedule, and learning preferences/styles Focus in on individual student success FACULTY: With technology, faculty understand individual student progress and can support accordingly Curriculum requires sufficient content and delivery options to support individual student preferences ADMINISTRATIVE: Data provides vital insights and is necessary for the most successful programs Assessment structures and design support are necessary to provide continuous improvement to the curriculum and its delivery

KEY CONSIDERATIONS Customization Results-driven approach Student-centered experience

DATA AND LEARNING Technology becomes the foundational underpinning of the most successful programs Systems must be interoperable and data must be exchanged across systems Staying current in available technologies is challenging due to ever-changing landscape and costs Challenges of data security and privacy continue to emerge with no clear standards or policies, at the moment…but stay tuned

Know what success should look like before you pick your path The pilot project can be your best strategy Engage with the full campus community WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY PROGRAM?

KICKING OFF THE CONVERSATION Do you need technology to successfully deliver adaptive or personalized instructional experiences? What are the benefits of engaging technology and/or integrating systems to create this kind of learning experience? How might these models be successfully implemented through faculty engagement? Can implementation be done without faculty support?

QUESTIONS? Kari Kovar Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Helix Education Join the conversation