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Personalized Learning and Competency-Based Learning

1/22/2019

7 Comments

 


In “What Does Personalized Learning Mean? Whatever People Want It To,” Benjamin Harold describes the broad range of definitions that encompass Personalized Learning: “Algorithm-driven playlists? Grouping students based on digital data? Letting teens design projects based on their personal interests? Adaptive software that adjusts to each student's skill level? Customized activities to help kids develop a growth mindset?  Check, check, check, check, check.”

Similarly, there are several different variations and levels of competency-based and personalized learning happening at my school.  I feel that we manage the use of personalized learning and competency-based learning in a way that is well suited for the elementary level.  We use adaptive software like iRead, ST Math, System 44, Mobymax, and FASTT Math. Several of these programs give students choices within their scope and sequence and/or allow them to skip over content if they can demonstrate competency.  These programs are also used as a “may do” option in many classrooms. Students often have a menu of learning or activity choices, ”May Do Lists,” for independent learning during small group or universal access time.

Many of our teachers offer students choices for learning, and demonstration of learning, with PBL projects. For example, students can make choices about which marine mammals they want to learn about for their projects, or perhaps whether they want to demonstrate their learning with a poster, a video, or class presentation. Another example is that some of our teachers utilize pre-tests from our math curriculum, Bridges, to allow students to demonstrate competency before embarking on whole-class lessons.

Katie Varatta’s concept of how competency-based learning works seems straightforward. She says, “You would analyze what mastery looks like, and design focused lessons and activities that would support those levels. This lesson addresses the entire group, and then you would move into workshop model where everyone works towards the daily learning target... While they are working, you might be pulling small groups to go deeper on the focused mini lesson or individuals that need further interventions or support.”  As simple as that all sounds, however, there are many more steps involved in this process than are spelled out. Developing student protocols, lesson building, behavior management, assessment, early finishers, are just a few of the details that add to the complexity of such an endeavor.
​

I think my favorite selection this week is the short video, “Personalized Learning: What is it?”  I like this selection because it reminds us that any approach needs to be vetted by research and evaluated for its effectiveness.  So true are the cautions that students tend to pick the easiest options when given a choice, and that they don’t always manage their time (or attention) well while on educational software.  These are issues that need to be constantly monitored at our school. This video should be the official disclaimer for anyone contemplating competency-based learning or personalized learning.  

7 Comments
Catalina J Goldstein
1/23/2019 09:35:55 am

Hey Jona! I, too, like how the video mentioned that we're still not sure what works best for each student when it comes to personal learning since it is still too new. It will be interesting to see the breakdown of projects and strategies once it all gets figured out.

There are a lot of websites out there and like you we use them mostly as "may dos". Maybe there will be a shift to use them more in the future.

Reply
Rafael Garcia Avila
1/25/2019 06:14:30 pm

Jona,

You are very right about being careful about implementing any of these new approaches to learning. This disclaimer is very important because we are always changing and adopting new methodologies simply because they are the new flavor of the week, month, year, decade...

Furthermore, the readings also caution people as to possible incoherence and ineffectiveness of such programs if not done well. In my teaching career I have seen so many programs adopted and did not work, book adoptions and the books are not being used district wide (currently happening) or purchase technology, teaching materials and tools that ended in a shelfs of the department's office.

Question: Why don't we just find out what is working with the high performing schools and make that "viral"?

Lastly, I agree with you with regards to the complexity of embarking in such endeavors. There are so many aspects of teaching that we have to take into account and multiple needs in our classes that it is a daunting task!!!

Great read and perspectives Jona!

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Caitlin Mitchell
1/26/2019 12:50:13 pm

Oh yea! the May Do list! I forgot all about that one! I haven't been doing that as much as I would like this year for some reason but I need to get on it and start doing it again!

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Jennifer Perkins
1/26/2019 03:53:02 pm

Hi Jona, I like what you wrote about the adaptive software provided for elementary school students, and the individualized instruction this software provides. We have started using the math program “Prodigy” at our site, and it has been great! My students really love the “gaming” part of it, and I like how I can assign different standards and have clear data and feedback provided for each individual student. I like the example of individualized learning you shared about students being able to choose how to demonstrate their learning about marine mammals. By choosing between a poster, video, or presentation they are showing what they know while having the freedom to choose how to do that. Great insights!

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Julie Lovie
1/27/2019 08:36:33 am

Jona I really think that elementary schools are really doing amazing work to reach our students on a personal level and I am really so impressed by all the hard work and planning that this must take to do this well. I think that high school teacher could learn many lessons from the elementary school classroom. I also agree that we must be smart and thoughtful about implementation of new pedagogy in education. We need to reflect and keep what we know is working while we add new ideas and thoughts.

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Scott Marsden
1/27/2019 09:16:51 am

Jona,
Thank you for pointing out the dangers of "innovation fatigue:" trying out too many new tools, too quickly. I've been guilty of trying to innovate so much that ended up confusing my students and myself. We need to use only high quality tools and give our students multiple reps with the tool before they are assessed. Less is more--find what works for you and your students and use it repeatedly in different contexts.

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Natasha Engering-Ward link
1/28/2019 01:12:55 pm

Hi Jona - great blog post! I too thought that 2 minute video was extremely informative as it did seem to point out more of the pros and cons and things that really do need to be monitored. I think the idea of personalized learning seems like a great one, but that much structure is needed, and that students need to be trained within that structure whilst personalized learning is slowly implemented. So many things to think about! It would be helpful to find others who have implemented personalized learning on a daily basis and get their feedback and tips as to how they deal with certain situations or manage to pre-empt problems.

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    Jona Sandau

    I'm a student in the Innovative Learning Master's Program at Touro University.  I'm really excited to make a difference for my students!

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  • Home
  • Innovative Learning Master's Program
    • 701 - Dynamics of Equity
    • 790 - New Literacies Research
    • 702 - Digital Eduvators >
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