The Future of Learning: Embracing Adaptive Learning with xAPI and cmi5
Tags: elearning, learning, adaptivelearning
Published: 2023-06-17 13:54:27

As the landscape of learning and development continues to evolve, the need for asynchronous learning and personalization is growing, and traditional eLearning methodologies are beginning to show their limitations. Let's look at why those limitations exist, and how to break through them to achieve next-level learning and development!

## The Current State of eLearning

For years, SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) has been the industry standard for eLearning content. Its ability to track a learner's progress, completion status, and assessment scores made it an invaluable tool for training. But, while SCORM served its purpose well in standardized, synchronous learning environments, it falls short when it comes to providing a personalized, adaptive learning experience.

SCORM operates in a self-contained environment, which makes it incapable of cross-communication between various learning resources or systems. As a result, it can't adapt to a learner's activities outside of its own course shell. SCORM also lacks the ability to report on a user's specific actions, so even with learning paths, there was no ability to understand which users were ending up on which paths and use that data for anything actionable.

##The Power of Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning is a methodology that crafts personalized learning experiences tailored to each individual's learning style, pace, and performance. It's a learner-centric approach that aims to enhance engagement, improve retention, and make learning more efficient.

Imagine a training program that adjusts its content, level of difficulty, and learning pathway in real-time based on a learner's responses to assessments, engagement with course materials, and even their performance in the real world. That's adaptive learning in action!

##Embracing Change with xAPI and cmi5

This is where Experience API (xAPI) and cmi5 come in. These advanced standards provide the technology backbone that makes adaptive learning possible on a large scale.

xAPI has the ability to track a wide range of learning experiences, not just those that happen within the confines of an LMS. It can document granular interactions a learner has with a course and can also track learning that happens outside of a traditional course, such as on-the-job performance, interactions with peers, or engagement with resources on the internet.

cmi5, on the other hand, merges the best features of SCORM and xAPI. It allows for interoperability like SCORM while also possessing the advanced tracking capabilities of xAPI. With it, we can have courses that are aware of a user's current training status, answers/results from other content, and other data that may influence the content needed to properly train them.

##Looking Ahead

The combination of adaptive learning with technology standards like xAPI and cmi5 heralds a new era for learning and development. These technologies are breaking down the barriers of traditional eLearning and paving the way for a future where learning is more personalized, more engaging, and ultimately, more effective.

As learning professionals, we have an exciting opportunity to harness these technologies to create next-level learning experiences. It's time we move beyond the limitations of the past and embrace the future of learning.

Stay tuned to this blog as we explore more about how xAPI, cmi5, and adaptive learning are reshaping the landscape of learning and development. Together, let's navigate this exciting journey into the future of learning!