RealizeIt

UNC Charlotte’s Journey Towards Adaptive and Personalized Learning

UNC Charlotte has embarked on a transformative journey to address some of the challenges in higher education. 

At the heart of this transformation is Realizeit, an advanced adaptive learning platform that enables instructors to tailor their teaching to meet the unique needs of each student. Realizeit’s capabilities allow for seamless customization of instructional content and interventions, ensuring that students receive the precise amount of personal attention and support they need to thrive academically. This approach not only optimizes learning outcomes but also empowers students to take charge of their educational journey, fostering greater independence and confidence.

STATway: Statistics 1222 and 1322

Through the STATway initiative, the university is redesigning its statistics courses to create a more engaging, relevant, and effective learning experience for students. This initiative focuses on improving success rates, relevance to future careers, and supporting equitable outcomes.

MEGR 3122: Dynamic Systems II

This course has been reimagined to incorporate adaptive learning technologies that personalize the educational experience for each student. The integration of Realizeit into MEGR 3122 allows for dynamic adjustment of course content based on individual student progress, ensuring that learners can master complex engineering concepts at their own pace. This personalized approach not only enhances understanding but also prepares students more effectively for the demands of the engineering profession.

A Comprehensive Redesign Approach

Adaptive and personalized learning is not just about integrating technology; it’s a large-scale curricular redesign. This approach is driven by personalized and adaptive learning paradigms, engaging stakeholders early in the project through co-design partnerships, and ensuring that the curriculum is both responsive and supportive.

Key Elements of the Redesign:

  • Personalized Learning: Tailoring content and learning experiences to individual students’ prior knowledge and needs.
  • Adaptive Learning: Leveraging the Realizeit adaptive learning platform to provide customized learning pathways.
  • Collaborative Design: Involving a diverse group of stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, and external partners, in the design process.

Active and Adaptive Learning Blended Curriculum

The STATway curriculum is a blend of active and adaptive learning strategies. This means that learning is intentionally designed to occur both at home through adaptive learning technologies and in the classroom through active engagement.

Curriculum Highlights:

  • Modified E-Textbooks: Incorporating Open Educational Resources (OER) for cost-effectiveness and relevance.
  • Excel Integration: Utilizing Excel for auto-graded assessments, enhancing practical skills.
  • Team Projects: Encouraging collaborative learning and real-world application.
  • Preceptor Support: Providing additional academic support through preceptors.

Adaptive Learning Value to Students, Instructors, and the Institution

For Students:

  • Lower Barriers: Courses are designed to be more accessible without requiring algebra prerequisites.
  • Reduced Costs: Transitioning from traditional to adaptive courses significantly reduces the cost for students.
  • Enhanced Learning: Active and adaptive learning methods promote better engagement and understanding.

For Instructors:

  • Reduced Lecture and Grading Time: With auto-graded assessments and personalized learning, instructors can focus more on teaching and less on administrative tasks.
  • Coordinated Content: Course materials are consistent and support automated remediation, making it easier to cater to diverse learning needs.
  • Insightful Analytics: Real-time data on student performance helps instructors intervene effectively.

For the Institution:

  • Improved Student Outcomes: Lowering DFW rates and closing equity gaps.
  • Cost Savings: Significant annual savings through the adoption of cost-effective educational resources.
  • Faculty Enablement: Balancing academic freedom with organized and flexible courseware.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps for Adaptive and Personalized Learning at UNC Charlotte

The future of adaptive and personalized learning includes increasing visibility and enrollment, and continuously refining the curriculum to meet the evolving needs of students and faculty.

Ongoing Efforts:

  • Increasing Student Enrollment: Through targeted awareness and engagement strategies.
  • Enhancing Faculty Support: Continued training and consultations to support faculty in leveraging the adaptive and active learning tools.
  • Optimizing Course Design: Regular updates to course materials based on feedback and performance analytics.