Anatomy of Student Models in Adaptive Learning Systems: A Systematic Literature Review of Individual Differences from 2001 to 2013

Abstract

This study brings an evidence-based review of user individual characteristics employed as sources of adaptation in recent adaptive learning systems. Twenty-two user individual characteristics were explored in a systematically designed search procedure, while 17 of them were identified as sources of adaptation in final selection. The content analysis of 98 selected publications that include evidence of adaptation efficiency is conducted. The quantitative representation of the findings shows current trends in the research of individual differences, as well as the tendencies of their further employment in student modeling. The article contributes to the body of knowledge on user individual differences and consequently to the research and development of adaptive learning systems. Additional contribution of the study is in-depth description of development and evaluation of the search strategy which makes the method easily replicable as well as suitable for modification and employment in systematic literature review in any research field.