Personalized Learning & Assessment

What is Personalized Learning?

According to Personalized Learning: What You need to Know, Personalized learning is about kids learning in different ways and at different paces. Each student gets a “learning plan” based on how he learns, what he knows, and what his skills and interests are. The teacher doesn’t lead all students through the same lessons. Instead, the teacher guides each student on an individualized journey. The what, when, where and how of learning is tailored to meet each students strengths, needs and interests. (Morin, 2017)

Eden Prairie Schools Personalized Learning from Eden Prairie Schools ISD #272 on Vimeo.

How this model allocates for student assessment, review and mastery?

Using personalized learning allows for teachers to meet students exactly where they are. This includes aspects of assessment. Typically, teachers use formative assessments throughout units and a more summative assessment upon completion of a unit- while teaching the class at the same pace, and assessing students at the same time. Personalized learning allows for students to be assessed on standards, skills and strategies when they are ready. As we know, not all students learn the same way or at the same rate. Personalizing their learning to fit them allows for them to work at their own pace in their own way. If they need re-teaching they get it. If they are ready to move on, they do so. If they are read to be re-assessed then they are.

From my prior experience, working in a personalized learning and competency based school, the most important way to get this model started is to have buy in from all staff and faculty. They have to truly believe that this is how students will best learn and become the most successful. Then it translates to the classroom. Figuring out what it looks like in your room and for your teaching style and students. It is also important to have some components of personalized learning, which might include a data binder, learning plan/path, and data wall. The last important piece in my opinion, is to have your students understand they why. Figuring out how they learn best. This includes them learning and understanding that not everyone learns the same way or at the same time. They learn to lean on each other for support and find that they can use each other for a resource if they need help. When re-assessing, it is not embarrassing but rather an accomplishment that you are ready to try again and get ready to move on. Building a community that cheers each other on and celebrates when someone masters a new standard, but also is supportive and willing to help when someone might not get it yet.

Tips for getting starting with personalized learning

According to the article, Turn Your Classroom into a Personalized Learning Environment Robyn Howton shares five ways she help turned her “traditional sage-on-the-stage affair to a tech-assisted personalized learning haven.”

1. Learn from others
2. Use the technology you have
3. Let students make choices
4. Choose the best delivery content method
5. Assess as you go
6. Pull it all together

(Howton, 2017)

To read more about the tips visit the article at: https://www.iste.org/explore/Personalized-learning/Turn-your-classroom-into-a-personalized-learning-environment

Resources:

Howton, R. (2017, August 16). Turn your classroom into a personalized learning environment. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/explore/Personalized-learning/Turn-your-classroom-into-a-personalized-learning-environment?articleid=416

Morin, A. (2017). Personalized learning: what you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/personalized-learning-what-you-need-to-know