Adaptive Learning

Adaptive instructional design was something that I was working toward in my prior position at a non-profit safety council. 

We were actively working on several different solutions that focused on using technology to support adaptive learning. First, I think it's important to note that in my perspective there is a difference between adaptive learning and differentiated learning. While both are pro-active one is constantly adapting and changing, (adaptive) while the other is a bit less pro-active and could be seen in my view as reactive. I see them as similar but slightly different variants. Like a naval orange and a blood orange. Farrer (2024) does a good job of explaining this when she writes about differentiation that: "the teacher recognizes that students have differing needs and addresses them before learning occurs" (para. 24). While adaptive learning environments, she writes: "adaptive teaching is when the teacher continuously collects data on students and then uses that data to adapt their teaching in the moment" (para. 25).

In all cases thought, I believe it starts with understanding the learner . . . who they are, what they need, and how they grow. This aligns well with Houston Christian University’s Ten Pillars (Houston Christian University, n.d.), especially the emphasis on human agency, understanding the world, and viewing teaching as a form of discipleship. In these cases however human agency might be as it pertains to the learner. Think of breaking out of the "one-size-fits-all" approach to learning. And certainly, an adaptive environment with differentiated learning experiences would lead to the potential for greater more effective learning transfer, which aligns with teaching as a form of discipleship. 

This class aligns well with my background, and for you, the class, it is perfectly timed. AI and the advancement of digital domains, whether or not they include AI, are here in our world and are being leveraged more and more to the benefit of both the learning organization and the learner. I can't wait to see everything that this class brings to the table and how your ideas can revolutionize learning. 

References

Houston Christian University. (n.d.). The Ten Pillars. https://hc.edu/about-hcu/ten-pillars/

Farrer, M. (2024). Adaptive teaching vs differentiation explained. ClickView. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.clickvieweducation.com/blog/teaching-strategies/adaptive-vs-differentiation