State-of-the-art technology demonstrates at least two important things. First, with hard work, the human mind can actualize nearly everything it dreams up. The second thing, which may be even more important, is that intelligence breeds intelligence. The smarter our creations are, the smarter we become.
This is the case with artificial intelligence (AI) and eLearning. AI allows us to leverage our LMS software solutions to an even greater extent, create online courses that transcend the boundaries of space and time, and unlock new learning possibilities.
In other words, artificial intelligence is transforming the way we learn, and here’s how:
- Machines Have (Meta) Learning Abilities
Intelligent technology relies on a concept called machine learning (ML). This powerful capability allows it not only to collect data but also to learn from it. As a result, we now have machines that recognize patterns and make decisions without human supervision.
In the context of online courses, ML ensures a deeper insight into learners’ needs and preferences, as well as their existing aptitudes and skills. It’s like an X-ray for individual learning behavior. But that’s not all. AI-based LMS software can see through anything.
Empowered with super-advanced analytics, online educators can now closely monitor their courses, track student progress, and pinpoint obstacles that contribute to knowledge gaps. This is important for the improvement of any learning environment. Thanks to AI, eLearning courses are becoming more effective than before – key insights on learners’ performance allow better knowledge retention, and so does course analysis itself.
- The Age of Personalized Learning is Here
The more insight AI helps us gather, the more we realize that the traditional one-size-fits-all teaching model doesn’t suffice in today’s democratic learning environment. What we need is a personalized approach to all learners. The age of diversity is upon us – it’s not only that modern-day students learn at a different pace, but it’s also that they do so in different and highly individualistic learning styles.
Instead of the outdated chalk-board method, we have new popular techniques such as gamification and social learning, as well as different devices for distributing online courses. By analyzing learning behavior, AI helps create custom-tailored learning paths within online courses and thus cater to visual, auditory, reading, and kinesthetic learners.
Artificial intelligence looks beyond established types to reveal unclassified combinations of learning needs and habits, allowing us to provide blended courses in the true sense of the term.
- AI Helps Create 10x Educational Content
A good book reads us, not the other way around. We should be able to say the same about educational content. But to serve as a motivational tool that boosts knowledge retention, learning materials must be truly remarkable, in addition to being useful and fact-dense. This means that content must also be engaging and interesting. When in-depth or data-oriented, it must not overwhelm with dry facts. It must be 10 times better than that.
AI may not be able to do our writing for us, but it can certainly help us with research. Discovering new learning content should be a breeze for an intelligent machine. Just try to imagine the amount of material it can sift through. With powerful LMS software, educators across the world will soon be able to access every single source of knowledge in both the online and offline environment.
- Digital Assistants Unlock Virtual Mentoring
Chatbots are already changing the way we shop online. They are fast, convenient, cost-effective, and consumers simply love them. Though they are less frequently used for providing real-time support in education, this application of artificial intelligence boasts exciting new possibilities in terms of interactive learning.
Being mobile-responsive and AI-based, these digital assistants can replace educators in online courses as well, where they can offer 24/7 counseling whenever the need arises. Paired with machine learning, a capability called natural language processing (NLP) enables them to understand human language and respond in a conversational way.
Thanks to NLP, chatbots can be trained to monitor learners’ behavior, talk to students, provide additional educational materials, and even impart expert knowledge on various subjects.
Virtual mentoring can also help personalize learning paths. Without any human supervision, AI can learn to give custom-tailored guidance and feedback, thereby boosting learner engagement and productivity.
- Automated Authoring, Tracking, & Grading
All of the above benefits – learning about learning, deep personalization, engaging content, and virtual mentoring – can help you build a better and richer learning environment. But can AI help you create an online course faster and without much effort too?
Both machine learning and natural language processing, as well as all other capabilities that AI brings to the table, are powerful automation tools that facilitate authoring, tracking, and grading. With a good LMS software solution by your side, creating a course is smooth sailing.
The tricky part, however, is that courses must be regularly improved and updated to meet the requirements of modern-day students and cater to the needs of individual learners. This obviously takes time, but AI can help you cut that in half.
Wrap Up
We’ve only scratched the surface of everything AI can do for educators and students who choose online courses as their primary eLearning tool. A few innovative applications more, and we’ll be able to unlock the full potential of LMS platforms powered by artificial intelligence and smart digital tutors. From where we stand at the moment, the future of AI-driven education is looking bright.
Robin is a Technical Support Executive. He is an expert in various LMS and employee training software. Currently, he is a resident learning management expert at ProProfs. In his free time, Robin enjoys cycling and sky diving.