Introduction

On a basic level, the definition of adaptive learning seems simple. But dig a bit deeper, and the nuances of the term begin to reveal themselves.

There are many degrees and types of adaptive learning (single-point vs. continuous adaptivity, adaptive testing vs. adaptive learning), but often these distinctions aren’t made clear. As the quest for personalized learning gains traction among educators, and more and more products claim “adaptive learning” capabilities, a certain fuzziness has emerged around the term.

Here at Knewton we spend our days and nights thinking about adaptivity, as we iterate on and improve the Knewton Adaptive Learning Platform. This white paper is intended to clarify our interpretation of adaptive learning, provide a glimpse into some of the theories behind our recommendation engine, and explain the effect Knewton adaptive learning can have in a classroom setting. We hope you find it informative.