adaptive learning
ED123 is a fantastic course and the concept should be implemented asap! I plan to use more of these techniques in my upcoming classes. Great ideas!
I was pleasantly surpised by ED123. The concept of individualized learning certainly needs to be considered in ones' classroom. It might not fit in all places, but certainly could be a valuable piece of the puzzle as we continue to work with students and hope they are successful.
I also liked this course. But what I have been told by other instructors who taught a prototype Algebra course using these concepts was that proportionally more students failed than failed the regular online lecture type course. The reason I was given is the same reason online students fail the regular course; lack of motivation and drive to follow the steps needed to get through the course.
In the course, they said that math and science are classes that typically work best with this approach! So I have mixed feelings about using this approach as opposed to the basic lecture then following up on individual questions type of teaching.
In Algebra, one has to learn the rules and concepts, do the problems, ask questions when one gets stuck, and then do more problems, until it sinks in. My constant battle is finding specific examples in a typical students life where Algebra is used, then show them how to apply Algebra concepts to define and solve those examples. This does more to motivate them than anything else. Students all like direct teacher contact and specific relevant examples best, which is difficult in an online environment. But I will reserve judgement on this teaching method until I actually teach a course structured like this.
