\n\tAdaptive learning has moved to center stage in learning and development as employers seek efficient and cost-effective ways to train workers who, more than ever, need to upgrade their skills. By bringing together the best of computer science and cognitive research, adaptive learning delivers a personalized, computer-based approach that adjusts to the needs of each learner in online and blended learning scenarios.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe reality is that employees are given little time to devote to learning while they try to carry out their daily business activities. To be effective, e-learning programs must incorporate learning science principles into their design and dynamically adjust to meet the needs of each learner. Programs that are essentially online workbooks, lectures, videos, and e-learning \u201cpage-turners\u201d do not suffice. They offer no personalization; learners must sit through all content whether or not they\u2019ve already mastered it, and such approaches provide no help if learners struggle. The result is often learner fatigue\u2014and a recipe for \u201cmultitasking\u201d while the e-learning runs in the background.<\/p>\n
\n\tTeaching by Asking<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tAdaptive learning is the solution. It focuses on the knowledge and skills employees do not possess or are less confident about. Adaptive learning platforms use a \u201cteaching-by-asking\u201d approach that is inherently engaging. Learners spend time only on those areas in which they need development, while skipping over what they already have mastered, thus reducing the time it takes to reach proficiency. Among early adopters of adaptive learning, time savings of as much as 50 percent are common, compared to traditional e-learning or instructor-led training.<\/p>\n \n\tGreater efficiency means less time spent on training and more time for people to be on the job. Moreover, as companies look to a \u201cmobile-first\u201d strategy\u2014enabling learning and training to be accessed anytime, anywhere (including by a remote workforce)\u2014 adaptive learning is the ideal tool.<\/p>\n \n\tAnother major benefit of adaptive leaming is the ability to uncover and eliminate unconscious incompetence\u2014that is, when employees think they know something, but, in fact, do not. Because this type of incompetence is unconscious, people aren\u2019t even aware of what they don\u2019t know or what they misunderstand, which can lead to serious consequences in the workplace, from customer dissatisfaction to safety violations. It\u2019s a pervasive problem; our data show employees can be as much as 20 to 40 percent unconsciously incompetent in areas critical to their job performance.<\/p>\n