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Although delivering personalised learning for online students may represent relatively new ground for the higher education sector, its importance remains undiminished. Focusing on the unique needs, strengths and preferences of each learner can result in higher retention rates, better engagement and improved student outcomes. A 2023 study by McKinsey & Company found that personalised learning routes can improve student engagement by up to 60 per cent and educational outcomes by 30 per cent.
While the rise of online learning may have increased the physical distance between students and educators, technology provides an opportunity to enable greater levels of personalisation, bringing student expectations and their academic experiences into closer alignment. For instance, most learning management systems used by academic institutions today can be customised to tailor the course content and delivery to learners’ preferences, enabling them to study at their own pace.
AI can be an effective tool to accelerate personalisation in online learning. Integrating AI into the curriculum could help online learners access round-the-clock support through virtual tutors while reducing the burden on faculty. This allows students greater flexibility in how they learn and empowers them to discover and pursue new areas of interest. Although AI continues to present questions around digital literacy, accessibility and ethics, the opportunities it presents in terms of personalisation are exciting for academics and students alike.
Data is another element that plays a key role in personalising the learning experience. Data can be used to monitor student progress, identify knowledge gaps and offer bespoke support. Digital solutions can prove particularly useful as a way of collecting and analysing large data sets and automating course design.
The personalisation of online learning reaches beyond the course content. When it comes to programme delivery, technology can personalise course provision for a wider audience than traditional degrees allow. Part-time students, mature learners and those who are balancing work and study welcome flexible and personalised learning pathways. These enable institutions to widen their talent pools by removing barriers to entry and lack of accessibility.
Many institutions have adopted microcredentials as an effective way to offer personalisation to online students. As the demand for more learner-centric forms of education grows, online methods of delivering shorter, stackable courses are being increasingly adopted.
Some online platforms have features that enable adaptive learning, which helps learners tailor their course content based on their goals and needs. Digital learning platforms also offer collaborative spaces where students can work together and interact with their peers virtually.
The higher education sector’s embrace of online learning also presents challenges for educators and students. While online learning offers flexibility and broader access, it also requires educators to adapt their teaching methods and students to navigate different online systems. Ensuring equal access to technology remains a key challenge that demands innovative solutions.
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