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AI-Personalized Learning in Multilevel Classrooms

New opportunities

Mark D. Stafford

English Education Center

Ehime University

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Some Caveats

  • Pilot study
  • Generalized discussion
  • No hard data to bore you

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Contents

  • The Situation
  • A Big Problem
  • The search for a Solution
  • AI-Personalized Learning

AI

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The Situation

A standardized curriculum

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General Ed. Curriculum

  • ≈ 1,800 first-year students
  • Four general education courses
  • Speaking, Listening, Writing, Reading
  • Common textbooks & final exams

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Why?

  • “Consistency & fairness”
  • Convenience for administrators

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The Problem

One size fits all

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Different Competency Levels

  • Full range of CEFR levels in reading course
  • Necessary to target the 40th percentile

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  • Avoid failing too many students

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Some Statistics

A2

A1

B1

B2

C1

C2

40th percentile

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One Size Fits All

  • An analogy
  • Disservice to students
  • Undermines the purpose of course

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Search for a Solution

Before AI

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Coping Strategies

  • Ability Grouping
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Peer Support
  • Individualized Learning Plans
  • Adaptive Technology
  • Varied Materials

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Multi-level Textbook

https://ngl.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?N=201+4294918395+33&Ntk=P_EPI&Ntt=193051303413067358021549818726436889089&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&homePage=false

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Rising Wave Pattern for Units

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AI Personalized Learning

Further materials personalization

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Personalized Optional Homework

  • GTEC for higher and lower anonymous groups
  • Homework assignments optional

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  • Extra credit points
  • Approximate 75% participation rate

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Adapted Textbook Passages

  • Used ChatGPT to adapt each textbook passage
  • Prompted for an easier and more difficult passage
  • 5 comprehension questions also

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An Example

High B1

High B2

Mid B1

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Merits

  • Length, vocabulary, grammar sophistication
  • Offered before class as a preview
  • Offers greater level-specific learning
  • Relatively easy to create

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Conclusion

Thanks AI

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Takeaways

  • One-size education is a shame
  • There are always workarounds
  • AI offers new opportunities