Adaptive learning is a method that uses computers as interactive tools to teach students and train employees based on their individual learning preferences and needs. It removes the "one size fits all" approach and instead creates a tailored learning environment. Adaptive learning adjusts the information presented to align with each learner's strengths and areas needing improvement. When the content is personalized in this way, it engages the learner more effectively and helps them achieve their full potential. For organizations to benefit from adaptive learning, they must understand their employees' demographics, skills, and goals in order to design customized instruction that is adaptive, engaging, and applicable.

1. Adaptive Learning and Engaging Every Learner in the Workplace
By Jane Ryan, TrainingPros Relationship Manager
January 11, 2015
Adaptive learning is the hot buzzword being talked about in education and business today.
Adaptive learning is a method used to teach students and train employees using computers as
interactive tools aiding the learner. By removing the “one size fits all” non-adaptive learning
approach into a “tailor-made” learning environment students/employees learn more effectively.
Tailor-made refers to the basic premise that student/employees learn better when information
adjusts and aligns to their learning preferences and needs (Paramythis, Reisinger, and Kepler,
2013).
Adaptive learning has become synonymous with the concept of personalized learning. According
to Adam Newman, founding partner of Education Growth Advisors, “Personalized learning is an
umbrella term and is defined as a ‘pedagogical method or process that draws on observation to
inform tailored student educational interventions designed to increase the likelihood of learner
success.’” Adaptive learning began in psychology by B. F. Skinner, behavioral psychologist in the
1950s. Followed by the artificial intelligence movement in the 1970’s, however it lacked the
sophistication of data-driven applications that are available today (Kasper, 2014). Today
technology expands upon adaptive learning platforms and is used to drive consumer sites like
Amazon and Netflix as well as progressive organizations using data analytics to better
understand employee-learning preferences. Adjusting to student/employee’s preferred learning
style allows for personalization for a greater learning experience which then engages the
employee in the learning process through interactions specific to what their needs are at any
given time and by doing so helps them achieve optimal potential and performance. In other
words, adaptive learning is pedagogically and research-based to ensure each learner stays in his
or her “Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). This means each lesson is at the right level of
difficulty at the right time (Lemke, 2013).
To effectively engage every learner in your workplace begins with understanding your
employees (data analytics). Who are they? What are their strengths and where do they need to
become stronger? What are their learning preferences based on gender and interests? Then
taking this data and determining how to design and customize the instruction and training
facilitation so that it is truly adaptive, engaging and applicable. This requires a fresh look at
employee/workforce demographics; competencies and potential compared to desired
performance goals. Having a strong grasp of each employee’s performance objectives drives the
design to achieve optimal learning outcomes.
It is important to understand what employees think (believe) about their potential and what
employer’s think (believe) about their employee’s potential because this dramatically affects
what type of design is needed to effectively engage learners to achieve optimal learning
outcomes. Identifying the gaps and creating tailor-made content for all learners takes time,
however, when all employees engage in learning, organizations can reap the greatest return of
this investment in their people and employee’s can learn more effectively and can then apply
this new found knowledge more efficiently in the workplace.
Knowledge is powerful!

3. Sources:
Lemke, C. (2013). Intelligent adaptive learning: An essential element of 21st century teaching
and learning. The Metiri Group. Retrieved from http://www.dreambox.com/adaptive-
learning#sthash.jstvaY9J.dpuf
Paramythis, A., Loidl-Reisinger, S., & Kepler, J. (2004). "Adaptive Learning Environments and e-
Learning Standards". Retrieved from http://www.ejel.org
Spiro, K. (2014). eLearning trends leading to the end of the learning management system.
Retrieved from http://elearningindustry.com/5-elearning-trends-leading-to-the-end-of-the-
learning-management-system