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Main Authors: Reddig, Jennifer M., Smith Jr, Glen R., Siyahrood, Sanaz Ahmadzadeh, Morris, Wesley G., Bae, Yoojin, Crutcher, Kaitlyn, Kos, John, Dass, Rahul K., Kim, Jinho, Siddiqui, Momin Naushad, Weitekamp, Daniel, Thajchayapong, Ploy, Kakar, Sandeep, Endert, Alex, Crossley, Scott, Kim, Min Kyu, Dede, Chris, Goel, Ashok, MacLellan, Christopher J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.04616
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author Reddig, Jennifer M.
Smith Jr, Glen R.
Siyahrood, Sanaz Ahmadzadeh
Morris, Wesley G.
Bae, Yoojin
Crutcher, Kaitlyn
Kos, John
Dass, Rahul K.
Kim, Jinho
Siddiqui, Momin Naushad
Weitekamp, Daniel
Thajchayapong, Ploy
Kakar, Sandeep
Endert, Alex
Crossley, Scott
Kim, Min Kyu
Dede, Chris
Goel, Ashok
MacLellan, Christopher J.
author_facet Reddig, Jennifer M.
Smith Jr, Glen R.
Siyahrood, Sanaz Ahmadzadeh
Morris, Wesley G.
Bae, Yoojin
Crutcher, Kaitlyn
Kos, John
Dass, Rahul K.
Kim, Jinho
Siddiqui, Momin Naushad
Weitekamp, Daniel
Thajchayapong, Ploy
Kakar, Sandeep
Endert, Alex
Crossley, Scott
Kim, Min Kyu
Dede, Chris
Goel, Ashok
MacLellan, Christopher J.
contents 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.
format Preprint
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institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Guidelines for Designing AI Technologies to Support Adult Learning
Reddig, Jennifer M.
Smith Jr, Glen R.
Siyahrood, Sanaz Ahmadzadeh
Morris, Wesley G.
Bae, Yoojin
Crutcher, Kaitlyn
Kos, John
Dass, Rahul K.
Kim, Jinho
Siddiqui, Momin Naushad
Weitekamp, Daniel
Thajchayapong, Ploy
Kakar, Sandeep
Endert, Alex
Crossley, Scott
Kim, Min Kyu
Dede, Chris
Goel, Ashok
MacLellan, Christopher J.
Computers and Society
Artificial Intelligence
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.
title Guidelines for Designing AI Technologies to Support Adult Learning
topic Computers and Society
Artificial Intelligence
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.04616