Innovations That Are Changing Online Learning Experiences

In 2012, a tiny YouTube channel took on the entire U.S. education system. And schools ignored it—until STUDENTS made it go viral. Here's how one man revolutionized modern learning: A hedge fund analyst, tutoring his cousin after work, started recording simple math videos from his closet. What started as a family favor revealed a fundamental truth about learning. But first, he faced massive resistance... The education establishment was completely dismissive: "Where's your teaching degree?" "This is too simplistic." Yet while the experts debated, students were voting with their clicks. That's when Sal Khan and Khan Academy proved what's possible in education. Students weren't just watching videos—they were mastering concepts they'd struggled with for years. The platform spread like wildfire through study groups and social media. Why? Because it solved a fundamental problem in education: Forcing 30 students to learn at the exact same pace. And Khan Academy shattered this model. For the first time, students could truly master concepts before moving forward. Then Los Altos School District dared to experiment in 2011. They flipped everything: video lectures at home, problem-solving in class. The data became undeniable. State math exam scores jumped 106%. Not for some students—for everyone. But this wasn't just about better test scores. Students were actually ENJOYING learning again. The platform aligned with standards while revolutionizing delivery. By 2017, 85% of U.S. school districts saw this vision and embraced it. Then came the next evolution: AI. In 2023, Khanmigo emerged—not just another AI tool, but a Socratic tutor powered by GPT-4. Instead of replacing teachers, it amplified their impact. And the results are exceeding everyone's expectations: The pilot data tells a compelling story: • 85% of students gained deeper understanding • 92% of teachers reclaimed precious time • Problem-solving skills soared by 30% We've proven learning doesn't have to be a source of stress and anxiety. When we meet students where they are—truly where they are—they soar. The old industrial model of education is crumbling. And it's being replaced by a system that celebrates critical thinking and individual growth. Where students develop real-world skills at their own pace. 150 million registered users 190 countries 36 languages and growing But these aren't just numbers—they're proof every student can excel when given the right tools. They can go farther than the current system allows. Quality learning is accessible to everyone. AI tutors support each student's unique journey. Engagement replaces enforcement. The future of education is happening now.

AI's Powers For All 1.  Harnessing AI's potential in education:  Seiji Isotani's research delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence and education, specifically focusing on how AI and behavioral science can synergize to enhance learning experiences. By understanding how students learn and tailoring educational technologies to their individual needs, Isotani aims to optimize the educational process.   2.  Addressing global educational disparities:  Isotani's work extends beyond theoretical research to practical initiatives aimed at addressing global educational disparities. He emphasizes leveraging AI to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that even students in underserved communities have access to quality educational resources. By developing AI technologies that can function effectively with existing infrastructure, Isotani aims to democratize access to education worldwide. 3.  AIED Unplugged:  One of Isotani's notable initiatives is AIED Unplugged, which utilizes AI software accessible via cell phones to assist teachers in evaluating student writing. This initiative has had a tangible impact, reaching hundreds of thousands of students in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines. By providing teachers with AI-powered tools for assessment and feedback, AIED Unplugged contributes to improving students' writing skills and overall academic performance. 4.  Gamification and personalized learning:  Isotani integrates gamification elements into AI-driven educational tools to enhance student engagement and motivation. By incorporating game-like features such as rewards, incentives, and personalized learning pathways, Isotani seeks to make learning more enjoyable and effective. This approach not only fosters student motivation but also allows educators to tailor learning experiences to individual student needs, thereby maximizing learning outcomes. 5.  Balancing AI hype with reality:  While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI in education, Isotani also emphasizes the importance of approaching AI adoption with caution and responsibility. He warns against succumbing to the hype surrounding AI and advocates for a nuanced understanding of its capabilities and limitations. By promoting responsible AI integration and innovation, Isotani aims to ensure that AI serves as a tool for positive educational transformation rather than a source of disruption or inequality. More info A Case Study on AIED Unplugged Applied to Public Policy for Learning Recovery Post-pandemic in Brazil https://lnkd.in/eg5MyKsH Source https://lnkd.in/ecgmg5wV

For 20 years, “personalized learning” was more buzzword than reality. We talked about tailoring education to individual needs, but what we really had were dropdown menus and branching logic. Most tools offered options not personalization. Students still moved through static pathways, locked into pacing and content that assumed uniformity in a very non-uniform world. But now? AI is breaking that paradigm open. With generative tools, we can dynamically shape learning experiences around the learner in real time. Summaries adapt to comprehension level. Practice problems adjust to mastery. Study guides build themselves from what students highlight. Feedback is instant, formative, and tuned to individual needs. This isn’t just a UX upgrade. It’s a pedagogical shift. Educators can now spend more time coaching, mentoring, and supporting students because AI is handling the repetitive and the reactive. We're moving from a model of “assign, grade, repeat” to one of “guide, support, adapt.” At McGraw Hill, we’re leaning hard into this future. Our vision is simple: Every student should feel seen. Every educator should feel supported. And every learning moment should be shaped by insight not inertia. Of course, it’s not perfect. We have a long way to go in ensuring equity, transparency, and pedagogical rigor in AI. But the progress is real and accelerating. So when people ask me, “Is AI overhyped in EdTech?” I tell them no. We’re just starting to deliver on a promise we made 20 years ago. Let’s build with care. Let’s build with intention. But let’s keep building because this time, we might actually get it right. If you’re working on AI in education, I’d love to hear how you’re approaching personalization. What excites you? What worries you? Let’s swap ideas. #EdTech #AIinEducation #PersonalizedLearning #ProductStrategy #InstructionalDesign

Finally, I can announce our recently Published Article on XR and Education based on my experiential media entrepreneurship course, “Self and Community in the Metaverse.” Co-authored with Abigail Greenbaum, Victoria Patterson, and Bolu Oluleye: "(World) Building Transformation: Students and Teachers as Co-Creators in OpenXR Learning Environments" In this article, we explore how human-centered design and extended reality (XR) tools can revolutionize education. By integrating cutting-edge XR platforms with transformative learning practices, we designed and implemented an innovative media entrepreneurship course. This course pushed boundaries by empowering students to become active creators rather than passive consumers in 3D virtual worlds. Through design thinking, real-world applications, and reflective practices, students navigated challenges, learned disruptive technologies, and explored their roles in shaping the metaverse. Key takeaways from our research: XR can decentralize classroom hierarchies, transforming students and teachers into co-creators. Human-centered design thinking helps educators design learning experiences that respond to rapidly evolving technologies. Empowering students as creators builds the confidence and skills needed for their future careers in emerging digital landscapes. Also noted was that students felt anxiety about keeping up with generative AI and emerging technologies, reflecting concerns about how these rapid advancements might shape their future careers. We’re proud to share a detailed account of our journey, including the challenges, successes, and insights from this innovative class. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eY7c5mnS A huge thank you to the team from CETLOE - Georgia State University, our amazing students, and the Georgia State University community for making this possible. Let’s continue to reimagine education together! #ExtendedReality #Metaverse #EducationInnovation #DesignThinking #MediaEntrepreneurship #XR #FutureOfEducation #AI

🎓 Imagine if every student had a genius tutor, always available, infinitely patient, and deeply personalized. That future isn't 10 years away. It's already being prototyped. It's called Project Astra. In a recent demo, a student asks for help on a chemistry problem—optical isomerism, a tricky topic. Astra not only answers but: → Takes the conversation to a virtual blackboard → Explains the concept visually → Detects the student's mistakes in real-time → Guides them step-by-step until understanding clicks Beyond Q&A, this is learning with understanding. This is what education becomes when AI evolves from search engine… to teacher. 📚 Astra does what human tutors struggle to scale: — Instant feedback — Visual reasoning — Infinite patience — Memory of your past questions — And yes… encouragement too. It’s not replacing teachers. It’s amplifying them. It’s not giving answers. It’s building thinkers. Project Astra is a glimpse into the agentic future of education—where learning is active, adaptive, and alive. Not locked in textbooks. Not limited by time or location. The classroom is becoming conversational. The curriculum is becoming intelligent. The student is becoming the center. And the question we should all ask: How do we prepare our children (and ourselves) to thrive in a world where anyone can learn anything, anytime, with an AI by their side? Let’s not just teach with AI. Let’s teach for a world changed by AI. — 🔍 Curious to see what this looks like? Search Project Astra by Google DeepMind 💬 What would your dream AI tutor teach you? #AI #Education #ProjectAstra #FutureOfLearning #EdTech #AgenticAI #Gemini #GoogleDeepMind #LearningReimagined #HumanAI