Personalized Learning…what does it look like?
The advent of technology in education has created a renewed interest in personalizing learning and
providing teachers with the tools necessary for differentiating curriculum
Early efforts to use technology to personalize learning generally began with a focus on basic curriculum
competencies
Now, rather than covering material in a lockstep fashion for all students at the same time, teachers can
direct content at different levels to students according to their varied achievement levels
Although this use of technology extends by a giant step the traditional one-size-fits-all instructional
model, it only accounts for varying competency levels leading one commentator to refer it as
"Gutenberg-on-line—the electronic shuffling of worksheets and standard text material." A similar case
can be made for the explosion of on-line courses currently available to school age students.
The first step consists of an assessment that creates a profile of each student's academic strengths,
interests, learning styles, and preferred modes of expression.
Teachers can use information from the student profiles to create groups of students at various
achievement levels or who share common interests or learning styles. They can also design instruction
based on identified interests or learning preferences, send assigned curricular activities or projects to be
completed independently or in small groups, and create pre/post assessments for evaluating student
work
Examples of personalized learning
High-engagement activities, materials, resources, and opportunities for further study that are grouped
into the following fourteen categories:
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Virtual Field Trips
Real Field Trips
Creativity Training
Critical Thinking
Projects and Independent Study
Contests and Competitions
Websites
Fiction Books
Non-Fiction Books
How-To Books
Summer Programs
On-Line Classes and Activities
Research Skills
Videos and DVD's
In practice, this means that a teacher creates a learning plan based on a goal to be achieved,
suggesting some sub-goals and activities, while some activities can be left ‘open’ for the student to
shape. Students then click on the ‘Learn’ button to start the assignment. During this process, a
system called ‘tips and alerts’ provides the pupil with some optional guidance. A personal journal
encourages the learner to reflect on their choices and what they have learnt.
These resources are not merely intended to inform students about new information or to enable them
simply to surf the web. Rather, they are used as vehicles to help students find and focus a standardsbased topic or explorations of personal interest that they might like to pursue in greater depth. Many of
the resources provide the methods of inquiry, advanced level thinking and creative problem solving
skills, and investigative approaches that are consistent with the current emphasis on 21st Century
Learning Skills.
Students are guided toward the application of knowledge through the development of class-related
assignments, original research studies, creative projects, and action-oriented work that applies
knowledge to personally meaningful areas of interest
Schools provide a wide variety of curriculum choices,
Attention to individual learning styles
Technology learning access
And a variety of learning environments and opportunities both within and beyond the
classroom so that learning programs may be tailored according to the individual
needs and preferences of each student.
http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/sem/Going_Beyond_Gutenberg.html
Because education research confirms that not all students are able to learn
successfully at the same pace, with the same teaching approach, in the same
learning environment, and in the same learning style and manner. Research
confirms that every individual assimilates information according to their own unique
learning style, need, and interest.
Personalized Learning is a leading, "21st Century" educational approach that
incorporates the results from the most recent leading education research studies. In
congruence with these research results, the Personalized Learning model recognizes
that every student is an individual, with a distinct learning style, learning pace,
learning path, and learning aspiration.
PLV QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
1. What are the student and teacher support tools needed to deliver personalized learning in a redesigned,
student-centered system?
2. What are the key functions and design elements for the following areas: assessment, data, curriculum,
learning platform, and teacher professional development and support?
3. What are the new types of student data, technical standards, content delivery models, and integrated
learning technologies needed as a platform for personalized learning?
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Conferencing tools for direct communication with industry mentors.
Project management tools
Critical thinking tools
PLV tools needed:
Internet
Digital cameras
Video cameras
Tablets
Laptops
LCD Projectors
Headphone headsets w/built in microphones
Educational delivery methods
Vodcasting/podcasting
Science simulation labs – vodcast and online
Science simulation tutorials – vodcast and online
Math lab tutorials - vodcast and online
Augmented reality using video conferencing broadcasting technology
D11 wide collaborative distance learning working on service learning/real world projects
Online lessons, projects and assessments
PLV Examples
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Go on a virtual field trip and write about it
Go on a real field trip and write about it and then share it with the class
Develop creativity training via tutorials to improve communication and collaboration skills when
working with others on projects
Learn and develop critical thinking skills by completing independent study projects
Through video conferencing host content area related curriculum related contests and competitions
Learn how to research and use information effectively utilizing educational and d11 websites to meet
lesson and project objectives
Read fiction books via a tablet device or online for pleasure and or for a class assignment
Read non-fiction books via a tablet or online for pleasure and or for a class assignment
Review content area How-To Tutorials via a school distance learning portal anywhere where Internet is
available
10. Through school distance learning portal complete content area lessons, assessments and activities
11. Through ongoing practice develop proficiency and improve online learning and research skills
12. Watch videos and DVD's and or create vodcasts, podcasts or complete lesson objectives and projects