“Flipped” and adaptive learning programs gained traction on campus. A high-profile internet hoax involving a college athlete propelled the term “catfishing” into the public consciousness. MOOCs hit some key stumbling blocks, while the notion of a college degree became more fluid.
These were some of the key ed-tech developments affecting colleges and universities in the past year—and we’ve got a full recap for you right here.
In this special all-digital publication, the editors of eCampus News highlight what we think are the 10 most significant higher-education technology stories of 2013.
To learn how these stories have made an impact on colleges and universities this year—and how they’ll continue to shape higher education in 2014 and beyond—read on.
6. Adaptive learning moves into the educational mainstream.
In adaptive learning, specially designed computer programs assess students’ subject-matter knowledge and then create individual learning maps based on those findings. If a student struggles in one area, the programs repeatedly reinforce that topic, and they let students progress quickly through areas in which they demonstrate mastery.
A number of developments in the past year have affirmed the notion that adaptive learning has arrived in higher education.
For instance, during the 2013 EDUCAUSE conference in Anaheim, Calif., McGraw-Hill Education said it’s applying adaptive learning technology to improve remedial instruction.
Only 22.3 percent of students complete remediation classes and graduate with associate’s degree programs in two years, according to Complete College America—and more than half of students at two-year colleges are placed in the wrong remedial courses, the organization said.
McGraw-Hill acquired the adaptive software company ALEKS in June, but its artificially intelligent education software has been mining data for 20 years. All that information now will be used to support a remediation product called ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning.
McGraw-Hill’s own LearnSmart technology has been gaining traction in higher ed, surpassing 1 million student users since its launch in fall 2009.
Hailed as a “personal digital tutor,” LearnSmart allows students to “study smarter, not longer.” Available in more than 40 subject areas, LearnSmart identifies a student’s weaknesses in a given subject and uses animated online tools to remedy them.
“LearnSmart has helped engage the learner in a way that I didn’t think was possible,” said Professor Frank Wray of the University of Cincinnati. “It has also helped me to be a more reflective teacher and pinpoint class issues with a topic.”
Education giant Pearson and adaptive learning company Knewton have been working together for nearly two years, launching a product powered by Knewton’s technology in the fall of 2012 to help college students in math, reading, and writing courses.
The focus on foundational courses was no accident, and it reflects the use of adaptive learning technology as a whole. Now, the two companies are pushing the technology in a new direction: They’re expanding their MyLab and Mastering products to include courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, finance, and accounting.
“We’re branching out from the college readiness courses into these pre-professional courses,” said Paul Corey, Pearson Higher Ed’s president of science, business, and technology. “They’re the gateway courses for pre-med, pre-engineering, pre-nursing, pre-business.”
Just days after announcing the expansion of its collaboration with Pearson, Knewton said it’s also expanding its reach to new parts of the globe. The company is partnering with Cambridge University Press to power the press’s English Language Teaching products, and opening an office in London to support adaptive learning in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
See also:
Adaptive learning helps personalize instruction for students
Adaptive learning technology comes to STEM courses
Knewton adaptive learning technology goes global
Pearson bolsters community college online offerings
Remedial placement meets adaptive learning
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