Learner-Adaptive Educational Technology for Simulation in Healthcare: Foundations and Opportunities

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Simulation-Based Learning
• Personalized Education

Background:

• Traditional education often uses "one-size-fits-all" approaches, despite individual learning needs.
• Adaptive educational technologies present a solution for tailored learning experiences.
• Healthcare simulation education can benefit from personalized approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of adaptivity in learning.
• To outline essential functions of adaptive learning technologies.
• To discuss challenges and future directions for adaptive educational technology in healthcare simulation.

Main Methods:

• Summary and expansion of the 2017 Society for Simulation in Healthcare Research Summit panel discussion.
• Analysis of adaptive learning principles and technology functions.
• Illustrative example from healthcare simulation.

Main Results:

• Adaptive learning technologies capture and analyze learner data for tailored stimuli.
• Technology-based approaches offer unique affordances and challenges for adaptivity.
• Future directions for research, development, and deployment are considered.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive educational technologies are crucial for meeting individual learning needs in simulation-based education.
• Further research and development are needed to accelerate the adoption of effective adaptive educational technology.
• Personalized learning experiences can enhance outcomes in healthcare simulation.