Learning paths are considered an integral part of eLearning and are designed to meet the needs and goals of each learner. From planning course structures to designing user-friendly interfaces, it’s crucial to focus on several key aspects while creating engaging and successful online learning environments and eLearning experiences. Adaptive learning is one such aspect that can improve student engagement by providing lessons and assignments that are tailored to their learning needs. It helps students focus on what they don’t know, skip topics they are already familiar with, and accelerate their learning.
Here are some points to consider while creating learning paths to enhance learner experience:
1. Defining Learning Objectives
While designing a learning path, it’s imperative to develop a plan that blends the eLearning course essentials with the needs and wants of each learner. The learning objectives should align with each user’s cognitive and metacognitive skills. It should be measurable and make learning more focused, and organized.
2. Enable the Learner
The key to creating a successful learning path is to empower online learners, and give them control of their eLearning experience. By leveraging rule-based, and AI/ML driven adaptive learning technologies, learner outcome and engagement can be improved along with effective time management. Incorporating adaptive learning concepts such as knowledge estimator, item difficult estimator, Hierarchical Graph Neural Network, and hierarchical reinforced learning will ensure a seamless and personalized learning experience.
3. Multiple Learning Styles
Online learners have their own learning styles and preferences. Hence, it’s important to integrate a variety of online activities into the eLearning course. Mastery based learning (based on Bloom’s 2 Sigma problem) focuses on the learner’s mastery over each skill to decide the learning path.
Introducing microlearning modules where bite-sized, focused content is provided in the right context can be highly effective for knowledge retention. Additionally, spaced learning, based on the forgetting curve, reinforces memory by revisiting key concepts at regular intervals. Providing effective feedback during assessments, including detailed rationale and remediation, further enhances knowledge retention, and supports learner success.
4. Periodic Evaluation
Conducting a periodic evaluation of learners through assessment and tasks allows the system to predict their mastery over the subject. This ensures a strong foundational knowledge leading to stronger retention. Additionally, periodic evaluations help maintain learner motivation by setting clear benchmarks and milestones for progress. They also enable personalized learning experiences, allowing adjustments based on individual performance, which can lead to more successful and tailored learning experiences.
Creating an adaptive learning path can benefit both learners and instructors alike. It empowers learners to take control of their educational journey through a personally curated course curriculum. Through increased engagement, exercises for better knowledge retention and self-paced learning, the overall learning journey becomes much more fruitful. Simultaneously, it provides educators with invaluable insights into learning behaviors, enabling them to refine their strategies and optimize results effectively, leading to better outcomes for more students. Building an ecosystem that harnesses these technologies to empower learners in achieving their goals is fundamental to shaping the future of education.
