PERSONALIZED LEARNING
What Is Personalized Learning?
Personalized Learning is individualized learning experiences driven by ongoing assessment data, as well as personal student learning goals and interests. As defined by Hughey (2020), "the goal of personalized learning is to engage students in the process, building on their interests, aptitudes, and strengths, thus creating intrinsic motivation for achievement and success" (p. 1). By incorporating personalized learning into daily instruction, we can change our classrooms from teacher-centered to student-centered!
TEACHER-ROLE
In a personalized learning environment, the teacher acts as a guide for students. Following the implementation of personalized learning into a school district's daily instruction, Azukas (2019) states that "teachers learned how to shift their roles to facilitate student learning rather than being the sole content provider in the classroom" (p. 297). Teachers are able to use on-going assessments to collect data in which allows them to develop individualized learning pathways for each student based on their needs. Teachers are able "to make data-driven decisions to enhance the learning experience for students" (Welch Bacon & Gaither, 2020, p. 92).
STUDENT-ROLE
Personalized learning allows students to take the driver's seat on their journey to academic success. With the teacher there to support them, students are encouraged to become active participants in the design of their learning; first, giving them each a chance to understand their strengths and weaknesses and, second, to create learning goals. Personalized learning environments empower "students to take more responsibility for their own learning, as opposed to more traditional models of instruction wherein the teacher makes all the key decisions about what and how students will engage with new content and skills" (Arrowsmith, et. al., 2021, p. 4).
References
Arrowsmith, H. E., Houchens, G. W., Crossbourne-Richards, T.-A., Redifer, J. L., Norman, A. D., & Jie Zhang. (2021). Operationalizing and Measuring Personalized Learning in K-12 Schools: The Development and Implementation of an Innovation Configuration Map. International Journal of Education Policy & Leadership, 17(3), 1–16.
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Azukas, M. E. (2019). Cultivating a Blended Community of Practice to Promote Personalized Learning. Journal of Online Learning Research, 5(3), 275–309.
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Hughey, J. (2020). Individual Personalized Learning. Educational Considerations, 46(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4148/0146-9282.2237
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Welch Bacon, C. E., & Gaither, K. (2020). Personalized Learning Pathways: Using Technology to Promote Learning Beyond the Classroom. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 162, 91.
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