Challenges of Implementing Adaptive Learning Technologies in Federal Colleges of Education in North East Nigeria

This study investigates the challenges of implementing adaptive learning technologies in federal colleges of education in North East Nigeria, with particular focus on Federal College of Education, Yola, and Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe. Adaptive learning technologies tailor content delivery and assessment to individual learner performance profiles, offering potential benefits for diverse student populations. Their implementation, however, encounters unique contextual challenges in educationally marginalised regions. An explanatory mixed-methods design was employed, combining a survey of 90 lecturers and ICT officers with document analysis of institutional technology investment records. A validated Implementation Challenges Scale assessed infrastructure, human capacity, content adaptation, and administrative support dimensions. Findings reveal that the most severe challenges are infrastructure-related, including inadequate bandwidth and insufficient device provision, followed closely by human capacity gaps in configuring and customising adaptive systems. Institutional leadership awareness of adaptive learning as a distinct technology category is also limited, contributing to inadequate financial support. The study recommends that the Federal Ministry of Education commission a dedicated adaptive learning feasibility study for North East colleges of education and develop a capacity-building roadmap for lecturers in selected institutions. Keywords: adaptive learning technologies, implementation challenges, colleges of education, North East Nigeria, educational innovation