The wonders of technology are all over, especially in education. Students not only research via Internet and email assignments and term papers, they also prepare for entrance exams, and review for the SAT (the test most colleges and universities in the US require) and other tests online.
They’re a lot luckier than their parents who had to stay in the library for hours on end and carry heavy books to pass their subjects.
Knowledge is a lot richer these days, education a lot broader, thanks to computers and the Internet.
One of the many advances in e-learning is a modern educational tool called adaptive learning.
“This new marvel of technology brings convenience and personalized learning literally at the tip of the student’s fingers,” explains Rossana Llenado, president of Ahead Tutorial and Review Center.
First, learning is online or computer-based. The student need not be exposed to the elements, especially during this typhoon season, to learn his lessons. All he needs to do is find a comfortable, well-lit and quiet place at home where he can focus on his studies.
Second, adaptive learning adjusts to the student’s needs, addressing his weaknesses.
Does he struggle when faced with problems involving quadratic equations? Computer-based adaptive learning will adjust by giving him more practice exercises on the topic.
Does his test score show that he needs improvement in using the right prepositions? Computer-based adaptive learning will point out where he went wrong and create more exercises that will teach him how to choose the right prepositions.
Expert teachers will answer his questions right after he writes them down in the chat box. Unlike the usual classroom setup where he has to set an appointment with the teacher or wait until class is over to talk to Sir or Ma’m, adaptive learning doesn’t make the student wait.
The expert teacher at the other end of the line will explain the difficult concept to him right away. Thus, the student can learn it faster and spend more time studying the concepts.
At Ahead Tutorial and Review Center, the SAT review course uses this computerized adaptive learning system. “This allows our reviewees to maximize their learning time and adequately prepare for the SAT,” says Llenado.
This is a big boon in this digital age when time is of the essence.
Faster learning ‘ but not at the expense of quality ‘ will also give the student more time to enjoy things a normal young person does. This means more time for family and friends, and many opportunities to be a well-rounded person.
Now, isn’t this the life we want for our children and our children’s children?