The ABCs of ADCs: How to select the right adaptive digital content for your school system

The effective use of adaptive digital content (ADC) tools in academic settings has the potential to be a true game-changer for students. Having been both a teacher and an administrator, I have seen the impact of matching student needs to the right tools and resources. ADC tools can be a lifeline for classroom teachers and scholars. 

I am incredibly fortunate to work in a school system with plentiful resources and an innovative and responsive leadership team. However, no matter a district’s financial situation or leadership, ADC tools–like any type of edtech resource–must be selected based on the potential to improve student outcomes and generate a return on investment.  

Many ADC tools offer the same features including rich literature, the ability to adapt to student input, and attractive, student-friendly designs. Still, schools and districts must research, vet, and invest in the ADC resources that best support the academic needs and outcomes of the students they serve.  

A significant consideration when exploring adaptive digital content tools is how to narrow the selection. So many similar tools are aimed at the same issues, so it is challenging to discern where the impact is coming from.  

Experience has taught me to always begin with data. Examining outcomes over time to include usage rates is critical. Many tools come with prescribed minutes and implementation guides that the end user should consider to reach optimal success. But besides using data to examine outcomes, what are the top considerations for choosing an effective ADC resource for your schools?  

1. Differentiation. Adaptive digital content tools are intended to meet students where they are academically and propel them forward. While teachers have long struggled to adequately differentiate content by process or product, adaptive digital content tools offer teachers ready-made options for students to learn, practice, and reinforce skills and standards. When tiered supports and interventions in a school are not working effectively, resources like ALEKS, Achieve3000, iXL, and Lexia can properly support scholars. 
2. Professional development. Like most things, the devil is in the details when it comes to introducing adaptive digital tools. Effectively onboarding new programs and initiatives comes down to the training and job-integrated support provided. I have seen many programs fail due to insufficient onboarding. Each adaptive digital content tool comes with implementation guidelines to establish ideal conditions for use. When sufficient training is provided before implementation, the likelihood of student success is more substantial. Job embedded professional development directly from the vendor, using a train-the-trainer model, as well as ongoing opportunities once the program is in progress, are all important. I’ve experienced a thoughtful onboarding process with ALEKS where the professional development was tailored to support the personalized learning initiative in the district. Teachers and leaders were positioned to seamlessly integrate the tool in their classroom design.  
3. Engagement. Ask any educator what they look for when observing teaching and learning; chances are you will hear about student engagement. Adaptive digital content tools can aid and strengthen cognitive student engagement when incorporated into daily lesson designs. When scholars are readily able to participate in activities and lessons on their instructional level, engagement naturally increases. It also helps that the interfaces of many tools prove to be attractive, appealing and of high interest to students. Discovery Education’s Dreambox Math resource was well received by schools in my district because it was found to be both incredibly engaging and easy to use for reinforcing basic numeracy skills.  
4. Dashboards. The data generated from the students' interactions with ADC is a treasure trove for educators. From this, teachers can see where students are running into trouble with their lessons, where they need to focus their attention, or even areas for enrichment. However, it is important that this data be presented in a useful, easily readable fashion. One company that does an excellent job with their data dashboards is NoRedInk. These dashboards allow teachers and administrators an easy view of usage, student mastery indicators, and customization opportunities. 

There are many additional things to consider when selecting an ADC resource. Price is of course a main consideration, but another that is too often overlooked is the feedback from the classroom teachers that will use the resource on a daily basis. Often, they will provide an insight into one of the points listed above that will change the entire complexion of your selection process. School administrators should listen carefully to the input of classroom teachers when selecting ADC. It might be the final piece of information you need to make the best decision for your students.   

Over the last 27 years, Ms. Simmons has honorably served Charleston County School District as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, Executive Director, and Associate Superintendent of the Elementary Learning Community. In her current role as Chief Academic Officer, Michelle is tasked with leading five of the district's academic departments to include Teaching & Learning, Special Education, and Student Support Services. She believes that her team's work resides at the heart of teaching and learning and is grounded in Leading well and Serving well.