The Open Learning Initiative (OLI) is a project that develops open online learning environments based on cognitive science principles and the integration of technology and learning research. OLI aims to simultaneously improve learning outcomes and facilitate learning research. OLI courses include Cognitive Tutors, which provide feedback to students like a human tutor would. OLI collects student data to enable continuous improvement of courses through iterative feedback loops. Studies have found that OLI statistics students learned as much or more than traditional students in half the time spent in class.

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Learning Engineer/Project Manager
Open Learning Initiative
Kim Larson

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What is the Open Learning Initiative?
Scientifically-based open online learning environments based
on the integration of technology and the science of learning
with teaching. OLI is designed to simultaneously improve
learning and facilitate learning research.

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What is a Cognitive Tutor?
A computerized learning environment whose
design is based on cognitive principles and whose
interaction with students is based on that of a
(human) tutor—i.e., making comments when the
student errs, answering questions about what to
do next, and maintaining a low profile when the
student is performing well.

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Meta-cognitive skill development

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Practice
Synthesizing
and
Applying
Skills &
Knowledge

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What Are the Affordances of the
Technology?

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Data Collection &
Feedback Loops for
Continuous
Improvement

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Single Student View

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Data Collection &
Feedback Loops for
Continuous
Improvement

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Community-based Research

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Iterative improvement

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Iterative improvement

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Data Collection &
Feedback Loops for
Continuous
Improvement

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LearnLab:
Transforming Education Research
NSF Science of Learning Center
• 10 years, ~$50 million
• Tech enhanced courses, assessment, & research
• School cooperation for data collection
Ed tech + wide use = “Basic research at scale”

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Learning Curve Analysis
DataShop: Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center

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OLI Review:
• Apply learning science research and scientific method to course
development, implementation and evaluation.
• Develop interactive learning environments collaboratively (teams of
content experts and novices, learning scientists, HCI, software
engineers).
• Feedback loops for continuous improvement.
• Communities of use, evaluation and improvement.
What Difference Does it Make?

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Proven Results
This study, conducted at Carnegie Mellon
University, shows that students using the
OLI statistics course at Carnegie Mellon
achieved the same or better learning
outcomes as students in the traditional
course in half the time.
Lovett, M., Meyer, O., & Thille, C. (2008). The Open Learning Initiative:
Measuring the effectiveness of the OLI statistics course in accelerating
student learning. Journal of Interactive Media in Education.

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Accelerated Learning Results
• OLI students completed course in half the time with half the number of
in-person course meetings
• OLI students showed significantly greater learning gains (on the national
standard “CAOS” test for statistics knowledge) and similar exam scores
• No significant difference between OLI and traditional students in the
amount of time spent studying statistics outside of class
• No significant difference between OLI and traditional students in follow-
up measures given 1+ semesters later
M. Lovett, O. Meyer, & C. Thille, C., “The Open Learning Initiative: Measuring the effectiveness of the OLI
statistics course in accelerating student learning,” Journal of Interactive Media in Education (2008).

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Proven Results
“The results of this study are remarkable;
they show comparable learning outcomes for
this basic course, with a promise of cost
savings and productivity gains over time.”
Deanna Marcum
Managing Director, Thaka S+R
Bowen, W.G., Chingos, M.M., Lack, K.L., & Nygren, T.I. (2012). Interactive
Learning Online at Public Universities: Evidence from Randomized Trials.
ITHAKA.

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Strategy for Educational Improvement
Data
Theory
EdTech

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OLI Funders
LearnLab is funded by The
National Science Foundation
award number SBE-0836012.

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“Improvement in Post Secondary
Education will require converting
teaching from a ‘solo sport’ to a
community based research activity.”
—Herbert Simon

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kllarson@cmu.edu