Boost Your Training Programs With Adaptive Learning

In a rapidly changing world, fueled by advances in technology and generational and social shifts, learning leaders are constantly looking for ways to: 

• Train people faster 
• Train more people (with similar budgets)
• Deliver innovative learning experiences 
• Meet learners where they are (and how they want to learn) 

In this blog post, we’re talking about how learning leaders can do just that – through simulations.

We’ll share: 

• What adaptive learning is (and why it matters) 
• How adaptive learning uniquely benefits learners and learning leaders
• How Regis simulations enable adaptive learning through video branching and AI-generated avatars

Adaptive Learning – A Path To Faster Learning

Adaptive learning is like Waze for learning – it maps a path between where you are now and where you want to go in the most efficient way. 

As a technology-based, interactive training method, adaptive learning is data-driven, analyzing a learner’s performance and capability in real time and modifying the learning content based on that data. Through artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, the training is “adapted” to the learner based on their individual needs.

Adaptive Learning In Action 

To illustrate, let’s compare a traditional eLearning approach to an adaptive learning approach.

In traditional eLearning practice, learners log in to a course hosted on an LMS and then take a quiz.  If they answer enough questions correctly, they then advance to the next level. In this standard learning path, all learners have a similar learning path, with the same screens and questions. 

In comparison, with adaptive learning, learners may start at the same place, but based on their answers and competency, the platform feeds them only relevant content to master the learning objectives.  As well, the content can be altered depending on the learner’s responses so the learner can compare the impact of their choices on the business, relationships, personal and professional goals, and more.

The Benefits of Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning elevates learning and development programs by providing a personalized, relevant learning experience that increases engagement and understanding, faster.

Here are just a few reasons why:

The learning journey is personal and meaningful 

With adaptive learning, learners feel a personal connection to their process and have space and time for reflection, leading to learning that sticks. 

When using adaptive learning design, we meet learners where they are, and help them with sensemaking on the topic and skills covered. We also help move through stages of competence leading to personalized insights, feedback, and accomplishment of learning objectives.

And, through learning by doing, learners are able to practice in a safe space that represents real-world challenges and scenarios, leading to powerful “aha” moments. 

Adaptive learning is efficient and effective 

Hermann Ebbinghaus, a 19th-century German psychologist, coined the term the forgetting curve.  In short, Ebbinghaus noted that humans forget newly memorized information at an alarming rate. Through his research, he illustrated how quickly memory loss occurs:

• Within twenty minutes, 42 percent of what was just learned is already forgotten.
• In twenty-four hours, 67 percent is gone.
• One month later, 79 percent is lost.

Cognitive science tells us that active practice and emotional connection help us remember things longer and apply what we’ve learned more easily.  With adaptive learning, the learning path hones in on where the learner needs to focus and leapfrogs. 

The result? Learning that sticks.

In fact, with Regis simulations, 94% of participants reported applying what they learned in a program to their job function – active use that drives real impact.   

Train your workforce faster (with a stronger ROI )

Business success depends on people learning and doing more, faster.

Through adaptive learning, learners can “skip” the learning they don’t need and are presented with the learning content they do. As a result, training time is significantly reduced, leading to cost and time savings for the organization, and a higher return on investment for training budgets. 

For example, one of our customers recently reported a 15x ROI against program creation and deployment costs.

Gain rich insights through data and analytics 

Through assessments and reporting, learners and learning leaders alike gain data-driven insights and a path for improvement. 

• Learners can see how their choices impact various outcomes, creating new awareness and impetus for behavior change.  It’s like a personal map for self-improvement! 
• Learning leaders can measure what matters, from assessment results to the amount of time spent completing tasks.  And these data analytics are collected in real-time, saving operational lift to report on L&D investment and outcomes. 

Adaptive Learning: Video Branching and AI-Generated Avatars

The Regis Company creates and delivers experiential learning solutions that are effective, engaging, and easy to deploy – anywhere in the world, virtually or in person. 

Our award-winning technology is designed to leverage the best of adaptive learning.  In this section, we’re highlighting two features that support adaptive learning:  video branching and AI-generated avatars. 

Simulations and Adaptive Learning 

A simulation is a technology-driven learning experience that allows employees to practice skills in a safe and constructive environment, providing the most effective way to learn how to make tough decisions and difficult tradeoffs.

Simulations give employees a chance to learn from mistakes, refine their problem-solving abilities, develop critical and system thinking, surface blind spots, and reinforce key behaviors. 

Video Branching 

Did you ever read a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book? If you did, you’ve experienced branched learning. 

Regis simulations leverage branching to create customized, personal learning paths based on the learner’s answers to the course activities presented. With video branching, the learner is asked to participate in the narrative by choosing between different actions or storylines.  

Why is this important for learning? 

• Branched learning optimizes learning time and effectiveness 
• With video branching, the learner is an active participant in their own personalized learning path. (No more forgetting curve!) 
• Because it is personalized, video branching provides higher engagement vs linear video. 
• With video branching, learners and L&D leaders can capture and analyze decisions and outcomes, resulting in rich insights for behavior and remediation paths to improve learning outcomes. 

Regis Simulations and Branched Learning

With Regis simulations, instructional designers have a powerful, easy-to-use branching tool kit.

Our visual flow editor makes it easy to create branching paths for learners. For example branching for scenario simulations, adaptive learning, and remediating to different sections of the learning.

Branching triggers – inputs that determine where to guide a participant next – are built in using branching logic.

And once the simulation is complete, it’s easy to view learner-specific results of which branches were taken and decisions made. This information is used to provide feedback.