Key Points:  

Personalized Learning increases mastery by giving students more control over their learning at their own pace. Students are more motivated when they are personally engaged and involved in the process.

By demonstrating the contrast between perceived achievement and actual performance results, the video Building A Foundation for Personal Learning reinforces my belief that grading is overemphasized. Uniformity in learning and consistency in grading overall can be stifling, and without indicating areas of weakness we are unable to help students in the areas they need it. Students need “customized learning playlists.” (Katherine Prince) I agree that teachers should play the role of guide rather than gatekeeper (also Katherine Prince.)

Questions:
How can we, as teachers, address the changes that we need at the level of overall policy making? So much of the competency-based learning video points to decision making that is not at our level as educators. How can we address equitability within a system that can adapt to individual children? Who will advocate for children that don’t have parents seeking choices in their favor?

Possibility:

Within my classroom I can strive to adapt experiences to my students on an individual basis. I can include “voice and choice” and motivate them by guiding goals-based, authentic learning.  I will apply PBL strategies in my teaching. 

 

Personalized learning: the name says it all. It is learning that is specifically geared towards the individual student. Students and teachers share responsibility for the learning. If it is something they want to learn about, students will work harder.  Students gather information and can teach it to other students.  I remember times when my boys would be assigned In School Suspension for tardies in high school.  They always said they loved it because they worked at their own pace and when they finished they work, they could do whatever they wanted including reading a book or just taking a nap. They were very smart, but the traditional sit and get of the regular classroom just didn’t work for them. 

Possibilities:  I can work to control the aspects of learning that I do have control of in my own classroom and build upon that.  Students will be more engaged because it is something they show interest in.  I can create Genius Hour and PBL experiences that will engage them in authentic learning.

Questions: How can teachers get a voice to make a difference in how we are allowed to teach in our own classrooms?  There is so much that is out of our control. How can we take control and make decisions that we know are in the best interest of our students?