The core principle behind Learner Intelligence (LI) is that “learners, given the option, will always choose the way he or she learns best.” The more choices a learner has, the more personalized the learning experience will be. Which is why the LI Adaptive Design model calls for a personalization menu that is always available. Here are a few benefits of providing this level of learner choice in your online courses.
Cognitive Engagement Increases
The very act of deciding which option to take is cognitively engaging. Instead of mindlessly clicking next, the learner can choose what they want or need. Choice involves a certain level of self-awareness and reflection. Am I confident enough to advance? Is the level of difficulty right for me? Would I like to explore a different perspective? These questions and others make it easier for learners to make the connection to prior learning.
Always Relevant
AI approaches to personalization are always reactive, making predictions based on past or recent behavior. Thus, there can be a lag between what a learner needs and when that need is filled. The LI approach allows the user to self-direct learning at the point of need. A user may suddenly choose to watch a video or explore the topic from a different context and instantly have access to relevant content. In this way learning is always relevant, engaging, and memorable.
Social Learning
Social learning or learning in a group of two or more is something that AI adaptive systems are not able to handle. All the collective data on a learner becomes useless when friends join in and suggest different learning paths. Millennials in a group chat or texting while taking a course would learn in ways that an AI system could not predict. Whereas the LI model of learner choice would allow the learner total flexibility to explore any learning path.
Learning from Mistakes
I can still remember a line from a science fiction book I read years ago. “When is a mistake not a mistake?” It could be when the learner is curious enough to intentionally make a mistake to see what happens. I frequently take this exploratory approach to self-study and do what I know is wrong to see what the effects will be.
These are a few examples of how powerful learner choice can be. What examples can you think of? You can incorporate these advantages in your courses by using the Learner Intelligence (LI) adaptive design model. Our next post discusses how to Design for Multiple Stakeholders.