Digital learning platforms (DLPs) have become essential tools in classrooms across the country. These platforms do more than deliver content—they gather comprehensive, real-time data on learner engagement, areas of difficulty, and individual learning preferences.
Researchers are using DLP data to uncover powerful insights that can help improve teaching and learning. In this blog post, we break down what the research says about digital learning platforms—and how schools can benefit.
A DLP is an online environment where learners engage in skill development, receive immediate feedback, and progress through structured lessons.
When learners use these tools, they leave behind traces of their activities, such as a click, hesitation, navigation choice, or problem-solving attempt. These “digital breadcrumbs” give researchers deeper insight into how learners acquire knowledge and develop skills when engaging with instructional content. These insights include:
How students regulate their own learning
Using DLPs, researchers can see when learners use hints, how long they spend on tasks, and whether they return to challenging problems. This insight helps researchers understand how students manage their learning.
For example, researchers found that students thought more deeply about their learning strategies—and performed better as a result—when platforms included reflection prompts and planning tools. However, not all pauses mean students are thinking; some students may simply be distracted. Researchers are exploring techniques to distinguish between cognitive effort and off-task behavior.
How much is “too much” for students to process
Students learn better when lessons aren’t overwhelming. DLPs allow researchers to test how lesson design, like visuals, feedback, and interactive features, affects student focus and retention.
They have found that effective lesson design can vary. Sometimes, simpler is better. In other cases, adding interactivity boosts engagement and learning.
How AI can personalize learning
Some platforms use artificial intelligence (AI) to recommend next steps for learners or adjust lesson difficulty. This guidance helps learners get targeted support exactly when they need it.For example, Mathia uses learners’ prior answers to adapt the problems each learner sees, helping them stay appropriately challenged but not frustrated. But these systems should complement, not replace, teachers’ professional judgment. Effective use of AI in education relies on empowering teachers to override algorithmic decisions when necessary.
Digital platforms allow real-time experimentation. Schools and districts can test what works with different learners and get feedback quickly.
For example, at a middle school in Colorado, teachers using ASSISTments met weekly to review which math concepts students struggled with most. They used this insight to form flexible groups and make adjustments to instructional strategies.
Not all DLPs are equally suited to every context. School leaders should evaluate whether a platform aligns with their instructional vision, supports teacher agency, and offers transparency in its AI and data models.
Does this platform support your instructional goals? Does it make it easier or harder for teachers to adapt instruction? Are data insights accessible and actionable?
Choosing the right tool isn’t just about features—it’s about fit.
DLP data can show which skills students have learned and where they’re struggling. Teachers can use these insights to inform their instruction, such as how to group students or pace lessons, and identify students who may need extra support
Interpreting digital behavior requires caution. Combining DLP data with in-person observations can help clarify what’s really happening.
Not all learners are equally represented in platform data. Underrepresented groups, such as multilingual learners, might be overlooked if algorithms aren’t carefully designed. Consider asking your platform provider about how they ensure fairness in recommendations or dashboards.
Many of the studies on DLPs happen through partnerships between researchers, schools, and platforms. If your school is piloting a platform, consider asking if they are open to working with researchers or a university partner to study the results.
As the research on digital learning platforms continues to grow, it is essential to ensure that research findings are effectively translated into practical classroom strategies that enhance teaching and learning.
If you’re a teacher, coach, or school leader using a DLP, we encourage you to:
Do you have thoughts about the benefits and challenges of using digital learning platforms in the classroom? Take our 10 minute survey to share your insights! https://bit.ly/4hjXY9C
The authors would like to thank the SEERNet Practitioner Advisory Board members, Cheryl Robertson and Chad Sorrells, for their insightful feedback on this blog post.
This project is supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305N210034 to Digital Promise. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.