Abstract:

Personalized adaptive learning (PAL) is a recent addition to the second language teaching toolbox, a technology that owes its existence to the rise of big data. The capture of larger amounts of data at greater and greater speeds has made possible a new, more student-centered digital learning environment that is automatic, responsive, and adaptive to individual learners’ characteristics and needs.[1] PAL technologies adjust the learning content and assessment based on student performance, including determination of prior knowledge and identification of knowledge gaps. “Adaptive educational technologies take account of current learning performance and adapt accordingly to support and maximize learning. By design, they present personalized educational experiences for each learner.” [2 p7]

While students in diverse disciplines can benefit from PAL technologies, the demands of learning a second language (L2) make PAL an especially effective pedagogical choice. In this paper, the authors will provide examples of how PAL can support vocabulary acquisition, mastery of syntax and subject-verb agreement, and a deeper understanding of the target language’s cultural context. The authors will also identify additional benefits of PAL for L2 learners, including:
- Enhanced access to learning modules that target gaps in skills and knowledge that are specific to individual students,
- Opportunities for heritage learners to advance to learning modules that build on their current knowledge, and
- Portability of content so that foundational skills can be reviewed at any stage of language mastery

References:
[1] Peng H, Ma S, Spector JM. Personalized adaptive learning: An emerging pedagogical approach enabled by a smart learning environment. Smart Learning Environments [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2022 Jun 1]; 6(9):1-14. Available from https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-019-0089-y
[2] Natriello G, editor. Adaptive educational technologies: Tools for learning and for learning about learning. National Academic of Education; 2013 [cited 2022 May 13]. 32 p. Available from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED574477.pdf

Keywords:

Big data, personalized adaptive learning, second language learning, innovation.