The Active + Adaptive Initiative fits within OAI’s holistic support model for faculty. We consult with faculty teaching general education courses to better understand their current delivery model and determine together how the A+A framework may be useful. The Active + Adaptive framework is adaptable to the faculty member’s needs and the design of the course. Once we agree on an A+A approach, we bring together  Instructional Designers, Student UX Designers, Multimedia Specialists, and Teaching, Learning and Assessment staff ready to support the project. 

The design and implementation of the A+A framework can be a professional development opportunity for faculty. Through this process they build experience

• Building intention in student-centered thinking
• Using learner’s performance analytics to inform class sessions
• Getting comfortable with change and blending digital learning
• Learning best practices from other faculty using active + adaptive
• Identifying educational technology that can best support their design
• Receive training & Certificate in Innovative College Teaching

OAI fosters community-building for instructors exploring adaptive learning. Through interviews, articles, events, and educational research support, we collaborate with faculty to help them take their own interest in adaptive further. For each of our A+A redesign projects, we develop an assessment strategy and deploy a student feedback survey to help determine the efficacy of the A+A framework.Building intention in student-centered thinking

Active + Adaptive

Through the collection and analysis of student interactions, the adaptive platform adjusts the learning path for each student. The platform then provides the instructor a summary of student activity which can inform classroom activities or direct student interventions. This framework provides faculty an opportunity to rethink the entire course design from the lense of blended learning and student affordability. We focus on:

• Moving from lecture-based to active learning strategies
• Shifting from high stakes, summative exams to continuous feedback and formative assessment 
• Adopting low or no cost textbooks and course materials such as interactive homework and test banks -- Learn more about our current work in Open Educational Resources.

Context

Academic leadership see the A+A Initiative as integral to a broader strategy for retention and ultimately graduation for our students. PSU is committed to an inclusive environment giving every learner in a course, the opportunity to succeed. Early indications of A+A courses have shown promise in level-setting the course for students by providing review for prerequisite concepts and opportunity for extra practice & real time feedback. 

To increase the wrap-around support for students in A+A courses, OAI is setting up pilot projects with student support staff from the Advising community and the Learning Center. Our goal is to leverage student learner analytics to trigger a proactive outreach and direct academic coaching for students.