Design and Development of Adaptive Learning Systems

Abstract

The era of pervasive computing has driven the development of Adaptive Context-Aware Learning Environments (ACALEs), which detect learner context and deliver adaptive learning services accordingly. Despite the existence of numerous standalone educational systems tailored for specific adaptive scenarios, there is a growing demand for a unified framework to facilitate the development of ACALEs. In response, we introduce Lightlore, an adaptation framework designed to support various adaptive learning services across formal and informal learning settings. Leveraging Scenario-Based Design (SBD), we crafted a conceptual model for Lightlore based on educational scenarios identified through a comprehensive literature review, which highlighted the limitations of existing ACALEs in terms of interoperability and extensibility. The design and development methodology included the formulation of a reference architecture and a proof-of-concept implementation featuring a hypermedia system for learning data structures using Lightlore’s adaptation service. The formative evaluation involved 25 expert reviewers with backgrounds in computer engineering and educational technology, ensuring a diverse and knowledgeable assessment panel. Their feedback was gathered through a structured survey and qualitative analysis, focusing on the framework’s clarity, adaptability, extensibility, and interoperability. Evaluation results revealed that Lightlore’s conceptual model and reference architecture are highly clear and comprehensible, with most experts rating them very positively. The framework was praised for its effective separation of the adaptation engine from application logic, its extensibility, and its interoperability with external systems. Experts noted the framework’s robustness in addressing essential components of adaptive learning environments and its strong support for modular scalability. Implications of these findings suggest that Lightlore significantly enhances the development and deployment of adaptive, context-aware educational services. By integrating seamlessly with existing learning environments through the Experience API (xAPI) and Learning Record Store (LRS), Lightlore offers substantial benefits to learners, educators, developers, and educational technology researchers, fostering continuous improvement and innovation in adaptive learning environments.