Design and Development of Strategies for Adaptive Web Based Learning Environments (A-

WBLE)

Fethi A. Inan

Michael M. Grant

The University of Memphis

AECT 2005 -- Orlando, FL, USA Oc. 18-22, 2005

Individual differences

Gender - Age Prior knowledge Learning & Cognitive styles Discipline of study Goals Intelligences Motivational state Disabilities

What is A-WBLE?

An adaptive web based learning environment gathers user’s information and preferences, builds an individual model based on the individual’s preferences and knowledge, applies adaptive methods to accommodate each individual based on the developed model, and monitors user action and learning process to provide new information to update the user’s model, thereby granting a more effective and efficient system.

Advantages A-WBLE

Increases the interaction between users and material Decreases distractions from learning tasks Manages individual differences by providing students

with a more personal experience through incorporating different instructional strategies, resources, and learning environment

Adaptive model : Steps

Gathering: Collecting student’s prior preferences, knowledge, skills and attitudes

Monitoring: Observing student sequences, interaction, errors, pace

Inference: Inferring what these collected data tell about other parameters

Prediction: Predicting learner’s knowledge and level of motivation in the following learning tasks

Adapting: Making adjustments to the system based on collected and inferred data

Updating: Altering student model continuously according to collected and monitored data throughout the learning process

Adaptive Methods

Adaptive Content

Adjusting the organization, format, or amount of content

Adaptive Sequencing

Ordering content in the most suitable way Adaptive Navigation and Orientation

Changing the appearance and structure of navigations

Direct guidance, link annotation or hiding links

Adaptive Methods

Adaptive Support and FeedbackProviding intelligent help during learning process regarding student actions

Adaptive Learning ActivitiesProviding different treatment for each user

Adaptive Interaction Adjusting communication type to increase learner engagement in the learning process

Adaptive Methods

Adaptive Assessment & Grading

Applying different type of assessment procedures and grading options

Adaptive Collaboration

Using system knowledge about different users to form a matching collaboration group

Adaptive Interface

Changing visual interface of the pages according to individual preferences

Adaptive Methods

Adaptive Social ContextTo maintain interest or user appeal by providing an adjusted social context

Adaptive Individualization LevelGiving options to each individual to decide the system adaptation level

Student Model

Student Profile

Student Actions

Learning Styles

Prior Knowledge

Motivation

Students Errors

Navigation Styles

Interaction

Adaptive Methods

Adaptive Content

Adaptive Feedback

Learning Goals

Preferences

Adaptive Learning Actv.

Adaptive Collaboration

Adaptive Interaction

Adaptive Social ContextAdaptive Assessment

Adaptive Sequence

Adaptive InterfaceAdaptive Individual Level

An architecture of an A-WBLE

Matching Individual Differences to Adaptive Methods

Individual differences

Traits/ Measures

Description Instructional Effects

Adaptive Methods

Mental abilities

Learning stylesCognitive styles

Learner preferences for different types of learning and instructional activities.Describe how individuals encode, organize, retrieve and apply knowledge.

Format of instruction andlearning activities.

Adaptive ContentAdaptive OrientationAdaptive Facilitation

Prior knowledge

Structural knowledgeProcedural knowledgeSubject area

What learner already knows.Learning abilities and strategies that an individual has already acquired.Domain area of learner.

How well an individual can learn new knowledge or skills.

Adaptive ContentAdaptive Sequencing Adaptive Collaboration Adaptive Assessment

Personality Goals MotivationPreferencesAttitudes

How an individual regulates his own learning.How an individual interacts with his environment and with others.

Time spent on learning.Interaction and Collaboration 

Adaptive CollaborationAdaptive FeedbackAdaptive Interface

Requirements for A-WBLE

Instructor Requirement Institutional Requirement Maintenance Requirement Ethical Requirement Quality Requirement Implementation Requirement

Conclusion

While designing the online instruction in a more effective manner, developers have to deal with all aspects of the teaching-learning process. Therefore, adaptive methods should go beyond the adaptive content and navigation

Even if a system provides all adaptive methods according to individual characteristics, it does not guarantee learning will always occur.

Contacts

Fethi A. Inan

The University of Memphis

finan@memphis.edu

http://idt.memphis.edu/~jpcheon/aect/

Michael M. Grant

The University of Memphis

mgrant2@memphis.edu

idt.memphis.edu