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American InterContinental University Integrates Adaptive Learning Technology into Curriculum

• By Leila Meyer
• 08/21/13

American InterContinental University (AIU) has completed a pilot program that integrated adaptive learning technology into online math and English courses and, based on the program's success, it is now integrating the technology into other courses.

The university's adaptive learning technology, called intellipath, assesses student understanding of course material and tailors the type and order of lessons to meet each student's individual needs. According to information from the university, students who participated in the fall 2012 pilot program had average final course scores 6.8 percent higher than students in non-adaptive learning courses, and withdrawal rates were 13.6 percent lower in adaptive learning courses.

Following the pilot program, AIU has begun to integrate the technology into other courses, such as economics, accounting, and history, and by the end of 2014, it expects more than 30 percent of its courses to include intellipath-enabled learning. More than 4,300 AIU students have already participated in intellipath-based courses.

Key features of AIU's intellipath-based courses include:

• Personalization of lessons, course materials, and interactive learning activities based on each student's individual understanding;
• Delivery of course materials in multiple formats, so students can read, listen to, or watch content;
• Anytime, anywhere access to content from any Web-enabled device;
• Individualized, one-on-one support from professors when needed; and
• Real-time progress monitoring, so students and their instructors can monitor grades and progress on assignments throughout the course.

"Adult learners want to feel they are in control of their own learning," said David Taylor, professor of English at AIU, in a prepared statement. "Intellipath gives them ultimate learning flexibility and freedom. It diagnoses exactly what the individual needs and provides a learning map exclusive to that individual. Throughout the course, the student is able to spend the time he or she feels is needed. That is mastery learning and independent learning at its best."

American InterContinental University is an open, for-profit university with campuses in Florida, Georgia, and Texas, in addition to its online campus. The university serves more than 15,000 students, approximately 80 of whom attend AIU Online.