Creating an adaptive course may seem intimidating at first, especially since many of the discussions center around using AI. Today I break the Learner Intelligence (LI) model down into three simple steps that include the learner, content, and navigation. As an instructional designer you will most likely already be familiar with the first two steps.
STEP 1 – LEARNER ANALYSIS
Before we can design a course that adapts to different learners, we must first define what types of learners are in our audience. Anyone following the ADDIE process is already analyzing their user base. For an adaptive approach we take this a step further and categorize learners into two or more groups. Categories may be based on learning styles, job roles, experience, culture, or any criteria you decide on. These categories are then used in step two.
STEP 2 – CONTENT CHUNKING
Personalized learning is all about delivering different content to different learner types. Now it is time to look at our content and decide what content is best suited for each learner category defined in the previous step. Interestingly, we may find that we do not have enough content for all the categories. That is when it is time to call upon our subject matter experts to supply the missing information. When you are finished with this process you will have what I call a 3-D Content Matrix that maps the content to the learner for each page or scene in the course.
STEP 3 – NAVIGATION
Here is where it gets a little tricky. The LI adaptive design model call for the learner to be able to choose a different category and see the content from a different perspective at any point in the course. That means creating navigation to all learner categories to display the customized content.
In Articulate Storyline that is done by placing content on different layers for each learner category. The navigation then shows the appropriate layer. Lectora uses sections in place of layers. Custom content is in different sections for each learner category. The navigation then shows the content in the proper section. Templates for both are in the resources section of this website.
The Learner Intelligence Design Model
I hope the LI adaptive design approach inspires you to try your hand at personalized learning. The process may seem deceptively simple and you may be wondering just how personalized the results can be. Check back next week and I will get into some math and show what is required to create a course with over a million unique learning paths! Share your thoughts below.