Alias Software

"Alias" is software that allows instructors to make learning more dynamic, more personalized, and more effective. Alias can make learning more dynamic by allowing an instructor to prompt a Large Language Model (LLM) to adjust the level and pace based on the learner’s responses and to provide real-time feedback. It makes learning more personalized by allowing instructors to base content material on each learner’s interests, preferences, and background. And it makes learning more effective by drawing systematically on the Science of Learning and by putting in place guardrails (e.g., to make cheating very difficult).
Alias accomplishes these ends by functioning as an intermediary between the learner and an LLM. Alias stores uploaded prompts and various types of resources, and securely stores transcripts of all interactions between the LLM and learner (which can later be analyzed). Alias is designed to allow prompts to draw on uploaded resources, including documents that summarize an individual learner’s interests, preferences, and relevant background, as well as documents that provide materials to be used in instruction (e.g., review articles), and documents that provide general guidance to the LLM (e.g., that provide guardrails and that summarize principles from the science of learning). In addition, Alias uses uploaded learning objectives and rubrics to guide instruction and evaluation. Alias automates many activities that were previously laborious and time-intensive, if they could be accomplished at all.
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A Novel Way to Use AI in Education:
Better, Faster, Cheaper

"Better, Faster, Cheaper." It's often said that you can pick two, any two, but you cannot have all three. This is no longer true in the Age of AI, and this is especially apparent in education. We have developed an AI-driven educational approach known as Dynamic Personalized Learning (DPL) that accomplishes all three ends. This approach utilizes generative AI to create a scalable, individualized, and interactive learning experience tailored to each learner’s needs, interests, and knowledge level. It is better than traditional methods because it is personalized, which makes it more interesting and effective; it is faster because it only teaches the learner what they need to know, not wasting time on familiar material, and teaches the rest at the appropriate pace for an individual learner; and it is dramatically cheaper because most of the learning is mediated by AI.

Key Features of Dynamic Personalized Learning (DPL)

  1. Personalization and Real-time Feedback: AI dynamically adapts the learning content and pace for each individual. By utilizing learner profiles, which include personal interests and backgrounds, DPL customizes each session, making learning more engaging and relevant. This approach is grounded in the science of learning, focusing on how knowledge can be best retained and recalled.

  2. Four-phase Learning Process:

  • Teaser Video: Each session begins with a short, engaging video that piques learners' interest.

  • Knowledge Check: AI assesses the learner’s current understanding, identifying knowledge gaps to focus on. It uses a rubric-based system for consistent evaluation, helping to target specific learning objectives.

  • Content Delivery: The AI delivers a personalized tutorial or lecture, adjusting content based on the learner’s engagement and performance. This phase incorporates real-time feedback to optimize learning.

  • Application Activity: Learners apply acquired knowledge in various contexts, fostering transfer of learning beyond academic settings. Active learning exercises, such as debates or problem-solving scenarios, assess learners' ability to use knowledge in real-world situations.

  1. Structured Goals and Objectives: DPL emphasizes precise learning objectives. AI helps break down complex goals into actionable elements, using these as benchmarks for learning and feedback.

  2. AI-Enhanced Active Learning: The AI guides learners through activities like scenario analyses, promoting engagement and long-term knowledge retention.

  3. Alias Software: A custom software called Alias streamlines the DPL experience by managing AI prompts and maintaining all learner interactions. Alias allows efficient implementation of multiple personalized prompts and assessments.

Significance and Future Applications

The novelty of DPL lies in its ability to replicate one-on-one tutoring experiences on a larger scale, making personalized education accessible to a broader audience. Unlike directly using an AI to teach, the Alias software preserves transcripts of all previous sessions, which can be referenced and analyzed; moreover, Alias can be integrated with any standard Learning Management System, which allows it to automate grading and to take advantage of the myriad other features built into such systems. 

Although the approach builds on established pedagogical research, it uniquely integrates AI to address the limitations of traditional teaching methods, such as scalability and real-time adaptability. The Alias software is very flexible and can support many teaching approaches. For example, it can be used to generate lessons and courses based on pre-designated course readings or syllabi, but can also generate lessons and courses without having to be supplied with readings and structure. In addition, the method can be used to enhance or supplement traditional approaches, such as by providing the asynchronous component of a flipped classroom. This new method has the potential to redefine instructional practices, allowing education to be more responsive and customized to individual needs. 

Student Records Privacy Policy

Active Learning Sciences, Inc., is committed to protecting the privacy of every student and maintains educational records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA affords students certain rights to protect the privacy of their educational records. These rights extend to any student who is 18 years or older or attends an institute of learning beyond high school.

FERPA requires that Active Learning Sciences request written permission to share educational records except in the following conditions outlined in (34 CFR § 99.31):

  • School officials with legitimate educational interest;

  • Other schools to which a student is transferring;

  • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;

  • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;

  • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;

  • Accrediting organizations;

  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

  • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

  • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

For more information about FERPA, please refer to the government FERPA website.

Active Learning Sciences, Inc., reserves the right to regularly update this document. The date of the latest update is included in the footer. As a student, it is your responsibility to be aware of any updates. If you have any questions or concerns related to the Student Privacy Policy, please email [email protected].

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Student Records

FERPA grants the following rights to students in the review and amendment of their educational records: 

  • Students may request to review their educational records. If a student believes that her/his  educational records contain an error, then s/he should submit a written request to [email protected] that identifies the error and explains why it is incorrect or incomplete. If Active Learning Sciences, Inc., does not grant the request, the student may request a formal hearing to adjudicate the request. Active Learning Sciences, Inc., will provide more information about the hearing procedure on receipt of such a request.

  • After a course is completed, Active Learning Sciences, Inc., retains no records of student interactions with Large Language Models or their evaluations. All of this information is transmitted to a designated representative of the client institution. 

  • Active Learning Sciences, Inc., will generally seek the permission of students prior to releasing personally identifying information except when:

Officially sanctioned by FERPA;

It is part of the student directory (see below for more information).

Information released in aggregate is not personally identifying and so exempt from the above conditions. Aggregate information may be shared with partners, employers and others.

FERPA Student Directory

FERPA defines the information that a directory may contain as anything that would not harm or otherwise undermine the privacy of a student. Active Learning Sciences, Inc., may make the following information available without the written consent of the student: 

  • Full name

  • Address

  • Telephone number

  • Email address

  • Dates of attendance

  • Enrollment status

  • Program of study and concentration(s)

  • Participation in officially recognized activities

This serves as the annual notice of which student records Active Learning Sciences, Inc., classifies as “directory information.” Students who take courses provided by Active Learning Sciences software have the right to limit publication of their personal information as part of the FERPA directory information. Students may opt out of the FERPA directory by submitting a written request via email at [email protected]. Once a student opts out of “directory information,” the request remains in effect until a student submits another written request to cancel it.

Complaints

FERPA grants the right to file a complaint if a student believes that their rights granted under this act are not being upheld by Active Learning Sciences, Inc. Complaints can be addressed to the government agency  tasked with administering FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-8520

Further information can be obtained by calling: 1-800-USA-LEARN.

11/7/2024