An Introduction to Adaptive Learning

1. An Introduction to Adaptive Learning Faculty Training – Phase I

2. What to Expect: Phase I In this presentation, you will learn: • What adaptive learning is and how it works • How it connects to AIU’s mission • The basics of the platform: key features and the student experience After viewing this resource, please take time to: • Work in the practice environment (access info is included at the end of this presentation and in a file share pod doc)

3. What is Adaptive Learning? • Adaptive learning is a personalized learning technology. • SmartPath is the AL platform students use. SmartPath: • Customizes learning for students based on their pre- determined knowledge of a particular subject or topic • Creates individual learning nodes, or lessons, for each student based on a pre-assessment. Nodes are lessons to help students understand each element in a specific week’s unit. • Allows the instructor and students to work closely together to ensure transfer of learning.

4. Why are we introducing this new learning platform?

5. Five Unit Assignments in Each SP Course Each of the five weekly units in a course has a corresponding unit in SmartPath. Each SP unit contains multiple nodes or lessons. Each node teaches a skill or concept to help students successfullycomplete that week’s work. Depending on the student’s responses in the Determine Knowledge assessment, the student may be assigned 0 – 9 of the nodes.

6. How do students access SmartPath? Students enter their campus classroom as usual. • Once in the classroom, students click on the SmartPath icon.

7. Getting started with SmartPath After clicking on the SmartPath icon for the first time, students will see the SmartPath landing page for the first unit. Egg-shaped blue pointer indicates the student has accessed the first of five units. Clicking on “Start MyPath” activates the Determine Knowledge dialog box/message.

8. Determine Knowledge 1) Before students begin working on a node (lesson) in SmartPath, they should first complete Determine Knowledge. 2) Determine Knowledge is a pre-assessment that determines a student’s knowledge state in relation to the unit’s content. 3) The system will use the results of Determine Knowledge to generate a Learning Map exclusive to each student. 4) If the student does NOT complete Determine Knowledge, the student will be assigned all of a unit’s nodes and graded on his/her completion of them.

9. Determine Knowledge 5) A series of random questions is generated based on the comfort level that students identified with the Knowledge Slider. 6) There is no pre-determined number of assessment questions. Questions are generated based on the student’s knowledge level as revealed as she answers questions. 7) Regardless of where the student sets the slider, Determine Knowledge will continue asking questions until failure is reached.

10. Accessing Determine Knowledge Students can access the Determine Knowledge assessment in three locations: SmartPath dialog box/message 2.Top navigation bar (light bulb icon) ❶ 3.Steps tab of the Guidance section ❷ StudentInterface Steps tab ❸

11. After a student clicks onDetermine Knowledge Students first see the Knowledge Slider. • Students use the slider to indicate their perceived comfort level with the topic. Click • After selecting their comfort level, students click on the “Determine knowledge” button to begin the assessment.

12. Personalized Learning Path The Determine knowledge assessment produces a personalized learning path for each student: Key to Colors & Symbols

13. To Work on a Node (First Time) 1. Students click on the node they wish to work. 2. Students click the green icon to begin work. Learn The lock icon indicates the student should complete prerequisite nodes before accessing this one. However, a student may still open and work a node that has a lock icon.

14. Revising & Practicing Nodes • Completed nodes can be worked at any time to improve Knowledge state. • Student clicks on desired node. Options are to Revise or Practice. . • Revise generates a new grade. Practice does not. • 1 extra point (to 10) awarded for each practice/revision attempt per unit. Graded Ungraded

15. Current SP Grading (CEC) SmartPath Grading Formula 50% - Amount of work completed 40% - Knowledge state 10% - Improvement Score 1. Formula is being used corporation-wide and cannot be changed by individual schools. 2. Percent of a unit’s final grade that SmartPath accounts for can vary from course-to-course. 3. Grading of SmartPath and entry of scores into classroom grade book are done automatically.

16. Guidance Section The Guidance section is the primary interface that students use to complete their SmartPath assignments and monitor their progress. • Guidance section gives progress summary & includes three tabs: • Steps • Progress • Advanced The Steps Tab provides directions to guide students along a unit’s Learning Map path.

17. Learn, Resume, Revise Buttons Steps Tab: Resume Learn initiates a lesson. Resume and Revise let students work lessons non-linearly

18. Progress Tab Guidance Section: Displays students’ progress on unit’s learning map: • Recent nodes covered • Progress relative to class • Possible intervention needed • Items with high success

19. Advanced Tab Guidance Section: • Displays features of the system that provide a fuller picture of the student’s effort and success. • Features include: • Summaries of statistics and competencies • Detailed data of: • Messages • Knowledge trends • Knowledge spread • Learning profile • Learning log

20. Practice Button • Allows students to improve their Knowledge State on learning nodes previously worked. • Upon clicking on Practice, the Practice Activities appear. The number of questions and the content of the Practice is individualized for the student by the system. • Practice does not count toward a student’s Knowledge State score.

21. Message Button Send Message allows students to send messages to their instructors. After clicking, message box appears. Students click “Send Message” when finished. Confirmation box appears after message has been sent.

22. Node Workflow Lesson Elements: Overview of the lesson (node) Sample questions and problems, answered and explained Practice questions and problems with feedback Assessment that provides student’s Knowledge State (score) Reinforcement of lesson content ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺

23. Extras Lesson Elements: • Extras provides an area for students and faculty to upload optional shared files as supplemental course materials. • The Google and YouTube options place students directly into those applications and direct students to material based on the lesson specifics. Students do not need to search for lesson materials externally.

24. Calculator & Work Area Lesson Elements: D • The basic scientific calculator is available to students for math-related problems and questions. • The calculator is located on a lesson’s top navigation tool bar (student view). A “Rough Work” area is provided for students as a scratch-pad area to calculate math problems or work out answers to questions.

25. Stopping a Lesson Lesson Elements: After pressing the Stop button in a node, the student is presented three options. • Exit: student must restart lesson from beginning upon next attempt. • Suspend: student may resume lesson at same point upon next attempt. • Too Hard: lesson is abandoned and student’s Knowledge State score changes based on what the system calculates the student knows.

26. Vision for Faculty During the pilot sessions, English and Math faculty worked together to generate: • Adaptive learning best practices • Expectations for faculty • A faculty community of practice • In adaptive learning, what works best? • What helps students find success?

27. Vision for Faculty This is an on going, evolutionary process. We need your input and insight: • What works best for you? • How does your role as SP facilitator change you as a teacher? • How do you sort out those changes and make meaning of them?

28. What comes next? Phase II Training You will dive into the instructor experience: • Faculty expectations and best practices • Instructor interface navigation basics • Learning your students through their SmartPath work • Interacting with students using SmartPath’s tools

29. Practicing Check out the practice environment! http://ceducation.cckf-it.com/RealiseIT/Utility/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2frealiseit%2fmain%2flearner.aspx Algebra AIU.MInstr1 AIU.MStu1 AIU.MStu2 AIU.MStu3 AIU.MStu4 AIU.MStu5 AIU.MStu6 AIU.MStu7 AIU.MStu8 AIU.MStu9 AIU.MStu10 English AIU.EInstr1 AIU.EStu1 AIU.EStu2 AIU.EStu3 AIU.EStu4 AIU.EStu5 AIU.EStu6 AIU.EStu7 AIU.EStu8 AIU.EStu9 AIU.EStu10 Username and password are the same. If logging in as instructor, click on “AIU English 1” or “AIU Math 1.” You will see the five course units. If logging in as student, you will land on the page with the five course units. Click on any one to begin.

30. Need help? Have questions? Contact Us! • Dr. David Taylor, Lead Faculty for ENGL 106/107 • David.Taylor23@faculty.aiuonline.edu • Dr. Cecil Morris, Lead Faculty for MATH 133 • Cecil.Morris3@faculty.aiuonline.edu • Dr. Jim Hite, Program Chair for General Education • jim.hite@faculty.aiuonline.edu • Dr. Susan Malekpour, University Dean of General Education • SMalekpour@aiuniv.edu