Due to that, we have come up with this article to show the difference between the two learning strategies adaptive learning and personalized learning.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the meaning of adaptive learning and personalized learning. Also, we’ll be looking at how to differentiate both learning strategies, and how you can make them part of your learning strategy.
What is adaptive and personalized learning?
Adaptive learning is a learning technique used for providing learners with personalized learning experiences.
It refers to technology that monitors learners’ progress levels in an online course and then utilizes the data acquired to create more personalized content for them.
On the other hand, personalized learning can be defined as the customization of an online training course by L&D professionals to meet individual learning needs.
The differences between adaptive learning and personalized learning
Although adaptive learning and personalized learning have a lot of things in common, they have their differences. Personalized learning is a learning strategy that enables learners to have access to training resources that meet their exact learning needs.
It provides learners different learning paths which are programmed by instructors according to the following;
- Employees/learners behavior
- Individual attributes
- Job roles and specific knowledge
- Assessment results about current knowledge
- Instruction techniques, including e-learning, coaching, and traditional classroom
Personalized learning requires having prior knowledge of individual learners. So, it’s advisable to start assessing employees/learners to know their baseline level of knowledge.
By doing so, L&D professionals can create content that measures up to individual learner’s needs. One of the benefits of personalized learning is that it enables learners to learn at their own pace.
On the other hand, adaptive learning also has the same characteristics as personalized learning. However, it makes use of a data-driven algorithm to create content that meets the exact learning needs of learners.
One of the roles of adaptive algorithms is that it helps to evaluate learners’ experience, including knowledge level, assessment, and behavior, during training sessions.
Apart from that, it also helps in the remodification of learning content to meet learners’ training needs.
How you can utilize an adaptive learning strategy in your online training
1. Build individual learner’s competence level
One way to make the acquisition of new skills a habit is by helping learners build their competence level. And with adaptive technology, it’s easy to make that happen.
An adaptive system helps by tracking how learners interact with course content. It then modifies the content to meet their individual learning requirements.
2. Guide learners by providing them with exact training resources
With adaptive technology, there’s no need to allow your learners to search on their own for resources that meet their learning needs.
All that’s required of you is to ask some questions upfront. And depending on the answers, adaptive technologies can provide them with the right content.
An adaptive system ensures continuous remodification of content depending on several factors, including learner’s knowledge level and confidence level.
3. Provide learners with feedback
Apart from providing learners with the right content, adaptive technology can also help to provide feedback loops and personalized action plans for learners.
By doing that, learners can reflect on their choices and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
How you can utilize personalized learning strategy in your online training
1. Research to know your learners
To utilize personalized learning in your training strategy, you must understand your audience and identify their knowledge gaps. While there are several methods that you can employ to understand your learners, an effective one is through pre-assessment.
Also, you can give out surveys by asking them questions to know their knowledge strengths and weaknesses.
2. Keep it simple
I’m sure you’ll agree with me that providing a personalized learning experience can sometimes be hard. However, to make things simple, you should follow the tips below:
- Make your audience know the relevance of the course to them
- Utilize clips to capture your learners’ information, including names and pre-assessment scores. So, playing it back makes them feel a more customized experience.
- Before creating your content, you must ask yourself some questions. Be sure your content is going to be visually appealing to your learners. Also, ask yourself if the content will offer ease to navigate.
- It’s also vital that you check your tone of voice. By doing that, you can be sure of achieving the best results.
- Localize your content for a better connection with your audience and catch more of their attention.
If you’re looking to deliver a better learning experience to your employees, then you should consider both adaptive learning and personalized learning strategy.
When applied correctly, they allow learners to express their curiosity and put in the effort using training tools and resources that focus more on highlighting their abilities.
