Intelligent Adaptive Learning: An Essential Element of 21st Century Teaching Part II

In our previous article of “Intelligent Adaptive Learning: An Essential Element of 21st Century Teaching Part I” we saw “What is Intelligent Adaptive Learning all about and why is it required” Let us explore the subject further more

Increase inDemand of Intelligent Adaptive Learning

With more and more learners, students and faculties moving to online education, box instructor or adaptive learning has come up as the most sophisticated solutions. Intelligent Adaptive Learningcontributes in bigger way (much more meaningful way) in developing engagingenvironment and through grasping relations between the learner and the online tutor. It is a commonly established fact that understanding the needs and developing the solutions based on those very needs is beneficial for all.

A few challenges of Intelligent Adaptive Learning

In online education, all the students might not be on the same platform of intelligence and understanding as each student comes from totally distinct geographical, cultural, economical and intellectual background. For such students regular methodic approach of imparting education does not serve as a plausible option. Thus, inferential technology has been used to form the Intelligent Adaptive Learning. With the help inferential technology adaptive learning is expected to grow leaps and bounds. Now, that this system has come out as an open-market paradigm, it is going through an optimistic phase of impact on various aspects such as affordability, accessibility, quality challenges of global education as well as training pertaining to e-learning systems.

Importance of intelligent adaptive learning

One of the greatest advantages that intelligent adaptive learning provides is that it gives the learner the privilege of selecting his own modular components which are especially suitable for their learner-centric environment. Moreover, it also provides flexible solutions through which they can adapt themselves dynamically and which also suit their real-time goals. At present, three models have been created for teaching learners of different levels:

• Expert model
• Student model and,
• Instruction model

Intelligent adaptive learning finds its usage in classrooms as well as in distance learning education fields. It is also used in group collaboration applications.  

Each individual is uniquewe have hundreds of reasons to believe it. Since many centuries humanity has been trying to bridge the gap between high level and low level, be it education, financial status or other socio economic factors. As far as learning is concerned with rise of intelligent adaptive learning techniques, by the mid of 21st of century we can expect all the people getting access to the unique, specially customized and affordable learning systems. These Intelligent Adaptive Learningsystems will be flexible and can be tuned in to match the understanding and interest level of an individual. Through Intelligent Adaptive Learningsystem, everyone will have the same level of knowledge, information and understanding of the subject at the end of the curriculum. This will also create better learned and thoughtful individuals, who will be able to use it for pursuing their further goals more effectively.

Geographical barriers have already started dropping with the coming up of the internet, at least in the virtual world. But the high speed of adaptive learning looks assuring enough to bring the same shift in the outlook of real world as well. In short though as of now Intelligent Adaptive Learning systems are yet in their cradle phase yet soon enough Intelligent Adaptive Learning systems will create better learned generations that shall be enhanced forever.

Intelligent Adaptive Learning: An Essential Element of 21st Century Teaching

Lately there has been a lot of discussion going on intelligent adaptive learning techniques. The latest “Y” generation technology that is concentrated towards developing the teaching and learning techniques in schools has become famous as adaptive learning. The intelligent adaptive learning method evolves personalized instructions according to the need of each student, his level of understanding as well as interests.

WhoGets Benefit of Intelligent AdaptiveLearning?

Adaptive learning helps improve adaptation and grasping skills of each student on individual basis and the subject of learning is well absorbed by the students. With the technological changes evolving and improving rapidly for a student as a learner it is important to stay updated.It is the duty of the schools imparting higher level of education to upgrade their education system as intelligent adaptive learning system has already become an essential element of the 21^st century teaching. In fact, both tutors as well as students get benefit from adaptive learning.

Why is intelligent adaptive learning required?

Through intelligent adaptive learning technology unique and tailor made services and content are provided to schools or learning groups so that learning process with improvisation and efficiency is adapted by every individual or student. One of the important highlights of adaptive learning process is that it uses the progress of the learner and his academic success to form future strategies for learning.

The whole process involves adaptive interaction, tracking the feedback and then, delivering the content and the information. Personalized intelligence is the right term that effectively describes the intention of adaptive learning. From studying learning orientation to academic background this technique involves an attempt to track down the multiple sources that blend to form a personal intelligence of an individual learner.

How does adaptive learning work?

The need for such a new technique has been felt as more and more people are enrolling for online education.Hence, the students are in need of more personalized solutions that can match their needsof grasping and learning in a better manner.

Adaptive learning requires computers as the major interactive device for teaching. The computer presentations are adapted and undergo a makeover depending upon the learning needs of the student. These changes are carried out based on the response of the students to the tasks and questions are asked by the computer. The main aim of intelligent adaptive learning is to provide the learner the interactive presence that a physically present human teacher provides.

Recent researches have suggested that it is possible to impart information through traditional learning methods but to impart knowledge by useof non adaptive and traditional approachesid meaningless. Usually in traditional methods the student’s participation is almost nil. He is just a passive receptor. Adaptive learning transforms the learner into a collaborator rather than the passive receptor and thus adaptive learning makes the learner understand the topic in a better and engaging manner.

Today, adaptive learning is not only been used for learning, but commercially it is adapted in business training. From web applications to desktop computer applications adaptive learning has spanned every area of online learning process. Read more about Demand of Adaptive Learning and Importance of Adaptive learning in “Intelligent Adaptive Learning: An Essential Element of 21st Century Teaching Part II”

Importance Of Body Language While Communicating

We all have heard the phrases, ‘Strong presence’, ‘Dressed to kill’ or ‘hawk’s vigil’ and so on. All these terms describe the impression of an individual which he passes on in a subtle manner without verbal communication. Actually, it is a general observation that a man of few words makes the most impactful impression. So, what speaks louder than words? It is his body language which makes the first and lasting impression despite of less verbal communication.

(Note: We have just used the sales faculty as an example in context of social usual communication. The understanding here is to help you grasp the information in a better manner through the example.)

Body Language of a PRO Sells:Today allcorporate training centers and HR gatherings have special training sessions on the topic of body language and that itself highlights the importance of body language in corporate environment. A good sales person or a Public Relationship Officer (PRO) should project positive image about himself and in turn about the company in the market. In order to project the right image the PRO must watch his attitude which is quite eloquent through his stride, handshake, dressing style, sitting posture and table manners. The importance of body language can be easily deduced by comparing the postures and bearing of a successful man and a broken individual. A successful person will carry his whole stature very confidently and you will notice that his shoulders will be straight, upright and the head is held high. While a person who has just lost a match or is in depression will have drooping shoulders and clumsy bearing. So, you see, without speaking a single word a man can be eloquent enough through his body language about his attitude, mental state and thoughts.

Body Language Influences Your Success Ratio:Nowadays all corporate segments face a global competition and everyone is vying to be successful. It is important that even small things that can change the ratio of success amidst the stiff competition are taken into account. Here is an example for you to comprehend this thought a bit better.

There were two brothers who had shops side by side. Both sold sweets. But one shop got overwhelming response while the other was rarely visited.

What can be the reason?

Answer 1: Quality difference!

No, both the shops had similar quality since both the bothers learned the family business from their father.

Answer 2: Then, variety of products! No, again both the shops had large number of variety.
Then, why did people prefer only one shop?

Correct answer: The first shopkeeper was very cheerful and used to welcome his customers with bright smile, and positive attitude which was displayed in all his bearing and stature. While the other shopkeeper always had despair and frustration written on his face and never showed happiness or efficiency at all in welcoming the customer. So, the customers were more attracted towards the first shopkeeper and felt more confident about his products as his whole personality exuded vibrancy and positive energy. This communication was totally non verbal and all the assumptions and preferences were derived by the customers on the basis of the body language of the shopkeepers.

This proves how important it is to have a positively reflecting body language as it contributes immensely in your growth and success.

Do visit us next week to find out “How Body Language Affects Your Persona” and “Some Interesting Body Language Tricks to Help You”

How can you establish the relevance of studying humanities for today and also for future?

While talking about the profoundness of humanities, we must not close our eyes to the fast changing as well omnipresent scientific and technological renaissance around every corner of this globe. No one denounces these scientific and technological developments. Everyone knows that today’s world is digitized. Digitization is not a fancy, it is a need. But if the human culture is also digitized, an intrinsic problem, in the context of its complexity and scale, will loom large on our society. Human culture is, as on record, historically specific, multilingual, highly ambiguous and geographically dispersed, which all together make digitization of human culture impossible, if not also expensive.

However, study of humanities is so pervasive that a critical analysis of information needs to be understood, both contextually and specifically in its artifacts. A huge amount of multimedia content is needed for paying due regards to this. Many research laboratories are brooding over the massive multimedia contents like audios, visuals, moving images, text and still images. Here is the need of the contributions from the scholars of humanities for creating the meaning, establishing the communication, manipulating and perceiving the context.

The search engines and the information world

It will be childish if you need to be taught about “efficiency of key word” for your search engines. It will not be wrong to anticipate that even a child in the womb knows it today. Now-a-days a web designer spends a substantial amount of his time in incorporating the appropriate key word for his client’s website-----who supplements his gesture?-----It is the linguist who knows the applicability of the word. Here the linguists supplies the most needed ingredient to the web designer and makes the importance of the effectiveness of the website in the ranking of the search engine. See the difference of viewing the situation in this juncture, the search engine will enlist as much as possible about the information related to the key word punched. The scholar of humanities will see how many people around the world fancies or patronizes the concept he is searching for!!!

If you can’t ignore the ambience of science and technology, you can’t ignore the invariableness of humanities

If you study philosophy, history and literature, you will come to know the influence of science to have impacted on the lives of human beings. To know the magnanimity of science you need to study humanities because shaping the society either negatively or positively is not the solo actions of science and technology; it is obviously the acceptance and implementation on humanity. No scientist will ignore or boycott the social factors pervading human needs.

Further more, there are some ambiguities that humanities deal with the values while science not only deals with the facts, it begets the facts too. To refer to Robert Young, “Medicines, Technology and Science are never value neutral, they are undoubtedly the embodiments of values of different programs, procedures, artifacts, therapies, things and theories.” He furthered to say that “science is the part of culture; while culture gets emancipated by humanities.” But one caution, the term “humanities” should not be mistaken as ‘humanism’, which of course means a particular philosophical belief, nor should it be diluted with the term “humanitarianism”, because it means social reform or charitable works.

To sum it up, if we study humanities, we can foster the in-depth understanding of varied ethnicity, gender, class and race.  Nobody in this world can ignore the lights of these burning candles.

Today’s civilization needs the confluence of each and every gamut of these constituents of civilization. The world is taking interests on digital humanities.

The concept is growing day by day. The Digital Humanities Conferences are the annual features since 1989. The universities are being funded massively for various researches on this profound stream or faculties of humanities. MITH (Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities had celebrated the successive tenth anniversary in the same year 2009, when IATH (Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities) celebrated their 17th anniversary.

Many other well known universities are upbeat with their academic researches in the studies of digital humanities. The institutes are King’s College, StanfordCollege, DukeCollege and UCLACollege in London. The funding institutions are also realizing the importance of further studies on the subject and that is why Arts & Humanities Research Council, National Endowment for the Humanities, Council on Library and Information Resources and Mellon Foundations are funding abundantly in the studies related to humanities. All these funding agencies and institutions encourage the universities to build up their tools, infrastructures and services to support the studies of humanities in this world of digital environments. A sad part, like all the burning candles have their darkness at the bottom---digital scholarships are still a far cry in the studies of humanities. That is why all the conferences highlight about the promotions, tenure and publications of the research findings of digital humanities scholars.

Yet, let us be optimistic and believe that the toil of the scholars will never be wasted. Studying and learning humanities cannot remain within the universities, it is undoubtedly true that the next 100 years will see the above citation to be relevant and meaningful.

Trend-spotting: 3 Learning & Development Movements You Need to Watch

The world is experiencing massive changes in eLearning, so the related craze for it is increasing accordingly. Many social learning platforms are making the eLearning environment better accessible and better manageable. The mobile phones are no more the simple phones; they are the smart phones with multi utilities and many attractive features. With the advent of smart phones, learning and development are seeing new types of its patronage. Learning and development is a renaissance, if we talk about optimizing the internet facilities.

Three sub-themes, pertaining to learning and development are being spelt out below:-

1. Our world is the mixture of many things

Every industry experiences ups and downs. It can otherwise be understood as swing of a pendulum. The trend being volatile, the word trend and pendulum are merged together to give the versatile meaning, “trendulum”. Obviously the modern swing of trendulum is more towards eLearning. The system of eLearning is considered as the one of the pivotal training delivery systems. Many researches have already seen and also foresee the obviousness of eLearning. The system is gaining momentum as a vital means of learning, of course with the wings of the internet power.

The beauty of eLearning lies in the confluences of mentorship programs, performance support tools, webinars, classroom training, targeted eLearning and above all, the learner generated contents function as the topping of the pudding. Since social learning platforms are becoming the very popular tool, the trendulum swings more towards the learning and development.

The best part of it: - all those who are sailing on this eLearning business now, must reap the best, because, due to the learner-centric tools and strategies, the tide is high.

2. Data, the all-powerful source

Although, business decisions in these days are fully dependent on data analysis, many do not fully support the theory. The supporters of data do never bother for any negativity of the data analysis; they rather throw their hats on to the positive sides of the eLearning prospects. It is the execution of strategic performance, in association with the strategies of improving and finding the solution, which is fully supported by qualitative evidence.

The best part of it: As far as the business pertaining to learning and development is concerned, you can extract the best from your data analysis. Sometimes there may be matters of concern such as: some companies may face reduced sales. More sales training are needed here. In some other cases you may face that deals are being closed, it is most likely due to some customers’ objection or dissatisfaction. Here again training to the sales team is only the solutions.

3. You need to admit

Any one, implementing eLearning, is fathoming a technology solution. The power of learning and development can usher in developing dynamic learning solution by harnessing latest technology platforms. The strength of learning and development through eLearning platform is fully reliant on the designing, developing, deploying and maintaining it professionally.

The new generation love to remain attached with the peer groups. The new trend also engages each and every one from diverse group or diverse background to share the learning while utilizing the lesson. The amazing part of eLearning is that it converges from different users’ learning experiences that are retrieved from various content driven courses.

The Future of Teaching and Learning Will Always Need the Humanities

Study of humanities was relevant in the past and is equally relevant in the present. The study of humanities is the unavoidable discipline and it is beyond any argument that study of humanities will remain equally important in the future too. The fact is our world is shrinking day by day due to the prominence of scientific inventions and the dominance of information technology. But there is no science in this world which is not for humanity or which does not remain inclined to the needs of humanity.

The term ‘humanities’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘Humanus’. In Latin the word signifies human, who also means “cultured’ and “refined’ too. Irrespective of any linguistic assertion human beings do possess tenderness, kindness and rationality. All these latent qualities bring forth different connotations being carried by the vehicles of beliefs, values, environments and experiences.

All these qualities contribute to the refinement of the basic qualities of a human being. So the thought and belief about the study of humanities has the power of “walking an extra mile in some other’s moccasins”. The illustration of this quotation is, if you are literate in ‘humanities’ you can market your product more than those who are not. No body will deny that cross-cultural understanding will be powerful booty to make use of it in this global village. That is why teaching and learning will always need the humanities, in a substantial way.  
   
Humanities constitute many variables. By studying humanities we become closer to many horizons that our life can offer through the profoundness of literature, philosophy, art, music and history. So, any solid grounding to any / many of these studies followed by its perseverance enriches our existence. Any nation can be politically liberal or conservative, independent studies of humanities can lead the people towards better thought processes. It also enables one to catapult the general synthesis of rational of happenings of things.

Business world is grateful to teaching and learning humanities
The need of teaching and learning humanities is more prevalent in this virtual world. The more you are exposed to the world, the more you need to learn many languages and foreign cultures. Every country is expanding its business throughout the world. The product may be a simple “pin” or the “powerful medicinal or defense product”, hence knowing or not knowing the local language or local culture will make the difference. Since the vendors are many, the aptness of marketing will be seen through the deal. There are many countries that do not use a single language as the medium of correspondence, rather they oblige and prefer those who come under their language or cultural folds. Japanese audience will love the Japanese speaking vendors. Spanish speaking countries compel the English speaking businessmen to become closer in the language they prefer to. Many such examples can be sited when, albeit many resources, the business world need the support of humanities.    

Even if there is no obligatory part involved as above, your business can only grow in this global environment if you can communicate freely and frankly with your business partners across thee world. Here comes the benevolence of humanities.

Education and Research world is grateful to teaching and learning humanities
Other than business world, scholars / scientists / researchers and such luminaries do not want to be called as ‘awkward social geek’ due to their linguistic problems. They feel relieved if and when they can communicate their ideas to the wider audience. A few may contradict the idea and argue that why the luminaries need the orientations of humanities?

The answer is simple, teaching and learning humanitieswill introduce us to the ideas and thoughts to the specialist and outside world where we can enjoy our relevance, attain new directions and also increase our creativity. If a society is to be successful, it has to be assorted with the refined integration of generosity, compassion, civility, charity, altruisms where the characteristics of emphasized and evaluated humanities make its presence felt.

Read on: How can you establish the relevance of studying humanities for today and also for future
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Digital Learning Day aims to change education’s direction

Program organizers launch 'Project 24,' which gives districts a customized digital learning plan; a Massive Open Online Course for educators to learn about ed tech; and more

Throughout the rest of February, educators are encouraged to capture digital learning in action.


With an overwhelming 25,000 educators participating in Digital eLearning Day on Feb. 6, ed-tech supporters used technology-based projects, lessons, and enthusiasm to mark what they called a perfect time to launch a national digital learning campaign.

“Every day should be Digital Learning Day,” said Karen Cator, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology. “Access to technology has become as important to learning as access to a library, yet teachers remain the critical link between students and the content.”

Cator said teachers are setting expectations for multiple “revision cycles” of student productions, made possible with “professional tools for writing, composing music, creating video documentaries, and design.”

“They are learning along with their students and modeling good questioning and internet research strategies, assigning more complex and challenging projects, and facilitating communication and collaboration even across borders,” she said.

“The president and I are convinced that with technology, we have an extraordinary opportunity to expand educational excellence and equity, and personalize the experience for students,” said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who attended Digital Learning Day in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Donovan’s class at Jamestown Elementary in Arlington, Va., presented their favorite apps during Discovery Education’s webinar celebrating Digital Learning Day.

Along with teachers, students, and parents representing all 50 states, Digital Learning Day garnered support from nearly 50 national partners and 25 corporate partners.

Efforts included:

• Facebook worked with a range of stakeholders to develop resources and tools to help educators understand how to use social media inside and outside of the classroom.

• KnowledgeWorks’ World of Learning blog featured essays about the benefits and opportunities of digital and blended learning. Throughout the year, Principal Erin Frew of Cleveland’s West New Tech High School (who also works for KnowledgeWork’s New Tech Network) will be an expert resource for Digital Learning Day’s toolkit to help teachers in specific subject areas.

• The National Council of Teachers of English released a Framework for 21st-Century Curriculum and Assessment that recognizes that to be 21st-century literate, students must become proficient with the technology tools and use them to create and manage information, build meaningful relationships with others so they can inquire and work together, reflect on their own work processes and products, critically evaluate the multimedia sources and tools they use, and use these sources and tools ethically.

• American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen, a multi-year initiative of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, featured its Classroom Resources on the Digital Learning Day website. Classroom Resources connects teachers, parents, and students with easy navigation to the best of public media’s educational resources targeted to middle and high school youth.

• The National School Boards Association will be hosting its annual series of Technology Site Visits this spring to provide school leaders and educators with an in-depth look at the policies and practices that support digital learning.

• Global Kids, an in-school and after-school New York City youth program, had high school students learn about game design skills and global issues using the online platform Gamestar Mechanic. These students became expert mentors and will lead workshops across the city and enroll youth in the National STEM Video Game Design Challenge.

• The Alliance for Excellent Education (AEE), which hosts Digital Learning Day, is offering Digital Learning: Lessons in Action, which incorporates multiple strategies with digital learning, such as collaboration, personalized learning, project-based learning, flipped classrooms, virtual access to experts, and simulations.

Perhaps most noteworthy, AEE has more than 250 school districts, representing approximately 2.5 million students across 42 states, participating in its groundbreaking new initiative, called Project 24, which will help school districts plan for, and effectively use, technology and digital learning.

The “24” in Project 24 represents the next 24 months, a time during which the nation’s education landscape will change greatly as states and districts face numerous challenges—including the need to implement college- and career-ready standards for all students; use online assessments to gauge comprehension and learning; push for greater system and classroom innovation; deal with shrinking budgets; and contend with demands of states’ waivers from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.

To participate, a school district must (1) sign up at www.all4ed.org/project24; (2) assemble a team composed of the district superintendent or a representative, a district curriculum leader, the district technology director, and a district professional development leader; and (3) take the free self-assessment. Upon completion of the self-assessment, a confidential, customized report will be generated for each district.

“With Project 24’s self-assessment tool, district leaders can frame their vision for student learning, begin to recognize the various aspects of the system that need to be addressed, and specify how technology can help align these efforts to achieve higher college- and career-ready standards,” said Bob Wise, AEE president and former governor of West Virginia. “It will help district leaders move beyond counting computers and internet connections to analyzing how they can integrate technology into their instructional plans.”

Partnering with other national membership organizations, the Alliance has identified a framework with seven major components that will provide education leaders in states and school districts with tools to make good decisions about how technology aligns with the goals and visions for their students. The framework will provide assistance to districts on (1) academic supports, (2) budget and resources, (3) curriculum and instruction, (4) data and assessments, (5) professional learning, (6) technology and infrastructure, and (7) use of time.

In conjunction with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University, AEE has developed a Massive Online Open Course for Educators (MOOC-E), called “The Digital Learning Transition in K–12 Schools: A Planning MOOC for Educators.” The six-week course is designed to provide a new type of learning experience for education leaders, one that will help them identify the potential of technology-enabled learning opportunities for the district, including its leaders, teachers, and students. The course will kick off on April 8.

More information on Project 24 is available at www.all4ed.org/project24.
Want to get even more involved? Throughout the rest of February, educators are encouraged to capture digital learning in action. Enhance and share your photo using the Instagram photo app, and tag it using #DLDay and @digitallearningday. Remember to review Instagram’s policies, and be sure that any students included in your photo have necessary waivers. Digital Learning Day will post the best photos on its website, and there might even be prizes for the best photos at the end of the month. Learn more here.