Case Studies

Most learning tools make promises. Learning Leader needed to demonstrate real value inside an actual course, with learners facing real challenges. That’s why it was piloted in “Writing Emails That Get Results” at Dalhousie University, where students were working through three self-paced eLearning modules.

The outcome? Learners consistently reported that Learning Leader made the course easier to navigate and more relevant to their needs. They highlighted the value of clear, concise answers, personalized guidance, and extra examples when concepts felt difficult. Instead of getting stuck or sending “What does this mean?” questions, learners kept moving forward with confidence. Instructors didn’t need to redesign the course, Learning Leader simply fit in and enhanced the experience. 

This pilot shows that even a modest layer of AI support, when placed directly into the learning process, can have a meaningful impact on learner progress and overall course success.

Featured Case Study:

Dalhousie University

Smartfirm delivers a technical writing certificate course in partnership with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development.

Within this program, Smartfirm was looking for a way to improve engagement and comprehension in the course Writing Emails That Get Results, which is offered through self-paced eLearning modules. While flexible for adult learners, these modules can lack the immediacy of in-person support, leaving learners with limited options for clarification when questions arise.

To address this challenge, Smartfirm implemented Learning Leader within three of the course’s modules. The objective was to determine whether AI-powered, context-specific support could help learners stay on track, deepen their understanding, and complete the course with greater confidence. By giving the learners access to real-time assistance directly within the module, Learning Leader provided a way to simulate the experience of having a knowledgeable guide available at any moment and for any questions related to the course.

The pilot was designed to measure impact without disrupting the existing course structure.

Smartfirm was able to maintain its course design and content while enhancing the learner experience with personalized, just-in-time support. The results revealed measurable improvements in learner satisfaction, perceived helpfulness, and overall usability.

Results That Speak for Themselves

Following the pilot, Smartfirm collected feedback from learners through a post-course survey focused specifically on their experience using Learning Leader. The results were clear and consistent. Learners found the tool easy to use, highly relevant to the course content, and genuinely helpful to their learning process.

Evaluation Category

Average Rating (out of 5)

Ease of Use

4.8

Relevance to Course Content

4.6

Helpfulness for Learning

4.6

These scores reflected not only strong usability but also demonstrated that the integration of Learning Leader added meaningful value to the learner experience without requiring changes to the underlying course content.

Direct Feedback from Learners

Beyond the quantitative results, qualitative feedback offered a deeper understanding of how Learning Leader supported individual learning needs. When asked what they found most useful about the tool, learners shared the following:

“Short and to-the-point answers.”

“I liked the personalization feature to help weed out redundant information I already know.”

“English is not my first language, and I was having some difficulties understanding. I asked the AI for more examples and explanations.”

“Ability to summarize course content.”

These comments highlight the diverse ways learners engaged with Learning Leader. Some used it to clarify confusing sections. Others relied on it to filter out information they had already mastered. Several noted that it helped bridge gaps related to language or background knowledge. In each case, Learning Leader responded with accurate, timely support that respected the course’s intent and stayed within its instructional boundaries.

Why It Worked

Learning Leader was designed to integrate into existing courses seamlessly, requiring no rework and only minimal configuration. Dalhousie’s team did not need to restructure content, update learning management systems, or schedule additional live support sessions. The tool integrated directly with their SCORM-based modules and provided a consistent layer of intelligent, context-aware assistance.

This approach respected the course design while giving learners more autonomy. Instead of relying on instructors or additional documentation, learners could engage directly with the content in a conversational, responsive way. The result was a more personalized learning experience, delivered at scale and without the cost or complexity of a full course rebuild.

Looking Ahead

Dalhousie’s pilot with Learning Leader confirmed that AI-enabled learner support is not just possible but highly effective within a self-paced learning environment. The tool’s ability to deliver personalized, accurate, and relevant assistance contributed to higher learner satisfaction and improved the perceived value of the course.

For organizations looking to increase retention, reduce learner frustration, and improve comprehension without increasing instructor workload, this pilot offers a clear proof point. Learning Leader enhances what already works, fills in the gaps where human support cannot always reach, and does so in a way that is secure, scalable, and easy to implement. Building on these results, Smartfirm plans to expand the use of Learning Leader across its full Technical Writing certificate program.