Three adaptive learning myths busted

For such a young industry, the number of misconceptions, rumours and myths circulating throughout the publishing industry about adaptive learning is astonishing. Conor O’Sullivan, CEO of Adaptemy looks at three of the most popular myths and offers some much-needed facts to help you make a more informed decision. 

Myth 1: Adaptive Learning products are only good for maths

Learning maths is linear. Traditionally, a learner must grasp addition and subtraction before moving on to multiplication. 

The false assumption is that adaptive learning products are also (only) linear, incapable of following the spiral of language learning. The truth is, an adaptive engine built using Bayesian probability can accommodate such nuances. Such engines allow for subtle inferences about what is known and not known by the user. The technology is highly adaptive, not only to the student and subject, but to the learning path too.

And adaptive learning solutions are proving valuable not just because they can adapt to the learning path, but for their ability to immerse a learner in multidimensional material and offer fast and responsive feedback.

Myth 2: The market is still maturing. It’s safer to wait until proven solutions are available.

Yes, the market is maturing at lightning speed. New research is constantly emerging, but adaptive learning is no longer in it’s infancy. Copious evidence already exists to support the use of adaptive learning. It positively impacts learning outcomes and experiences, and its creators are committed to improving the technology to continually secure incremental gains. 

The truth is, a publisher that capitalises on this new opportunity now, takes advantage of gaps in the market and gains in marketshare. 

Myth 3: Introducing adaptive learning is a huge project that will exhaust my staff and deplete my revenues

Adaptive learning solutions can be huge projects and can exhaust your staff and deplete your revenues. But they don’t have to be.

Choose your adaptive learning partner carefully. Choose a team that understands the classroom, the technology and the publishing marketplace too. Look for a partner that is as invested in your success as they are their own. In other words, a partner who is just that: a partner.

Adaptemy solutions can reach the marketplace in just three months because we use robust project roadmaps, effective authoring tools and build frameworks that deliver proven success.