Search papers, labs, and topics across Lattice.
This paper analyzes the deployment of several AI learning technologies within a national research institute focused on adult learning and online education. Through reflexive thematic analysis of longitudinal deployment data, the authors identified recurring challenges and design considerations specific to adult learners. These insights were synthesized into 19 design guidelines, validated via heuristic evaluation, and further operationalized through a guideline exploration tool connecting guidelines to stakeholder statements.
AI-powered learning systems often fail adult learners because they're built for kids: here are 19 guidelines to fix that.
AI-powered educational technologies have demonstrated measurable benefits for learners, but their design and evaluation have largely centered on K-12 contexts. As a result, many AI-supported learning systems remain poorly aligned with the needs, constraints, and goals of adult learners. To better understand how AI systems function in adult education, this paper examines the deployment of several AI learning technologies developed within a multidisciplinary, national research institute in the United States focused on adult learning and online education. Drawing on longitudinal deployment data, we conducted a reflexive thematic analysis to identify recurring challenges and design considerations across systems. These insights were synthesized into a set of 19 design guidelines intended to inform future AI-supported adult learning technologies. We demonstrate the utility of these guidelines through a heuristic evaluation of the deployed systems. Lastly, we present a guideline exploration tool that aids in the ideation of technologies by connecting the guidelines to stakeholder statements surfaced in the analysis process.
