The Concept of an Adaptive Trainer and Assessing Its Effectiveness in a Mathematical Application

Presented is a mathematical model of the self-learning adaptive trainer intended for adaptive learning and providing task selection. The approach in question is an alternative to the adaptive technologies based on the Item Response Theory. Possibility to take into account temporal dynamics of solution ability as well as smaller number of tasks that must be performed by a subject to provide the given results are among the features of the methods in use. To assess the effectiveness of the adaptive trainer concept under consideration, its web-implementation intended for training school students to solve mathematical tasks covered by the school curriculum was employed. The analysis performed revealed both high efficiency of the adaptive trainer (the mean test rating has increased 1.54 times owing to its use) and proven statistically significant influences of the adaptive training factor on the observed mathematical test results.