Personalized Learning Systems
EDU 655
Laura Moll
May 19, 2014
Current System
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Personalized Learning Systems
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Classroom Lesson Plans
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Individualized lesson plans
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Standardized Tests
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Tests aligned with students interests and efforts.
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Students learn to acclimate to curriculum & classroom setting.
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Students drive the material that is taught.
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Traditional classroom setting
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Virtual learning environment
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Textbooks facilitate instruction
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Web 2.0 technologies used to facilitate instruction.
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Students grouped into categories of learning.
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Students learn at their own pace and at their own developmental pattern.
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Analysis
There are several steps that educators and the school system can take to facilitate the transition from that of a traditional classroom to an individualized learning process. Personalized learning techniques and strategies are becoming more prominent as the increase of Web 2.0 technologies in classrooms and academic settings increase. Strategies to implement personalized learning plans are described below.
- One technique that can be used to incorporate personalized learning strategies into modern classrooms include the facilitation of e-books and tablets in a classroom setting as a replacement to traditional textbooks. These e-books provide an interactive outlet for students to not only read material, but bookmark, research and share information that they found exciting, interesting or insightful (Huang, Y., Liang, T., Su, Y., & Chen, N., 2012). Students are interested in using these technologies and get excited about reading and learning. An important element of the implementation of these e-books into a classroom creates a personalized learning experience for students because they can customize reading material based on interest, and leave notes to return to important content. Also, an e-book is incredibly portable and students with access to multiple textbooks can access all of thier information through one device.
- Secondly, our current learning system facilitates movement for a whole group of students based on specific state mandated and government regulated criteria. This criteria is a “one size fits all” method, often leaving some students excluded from the wonders of a great education, simply because they do not fit the requirements set forth by the district. The Family & Home Examiner reiterates this concept by suggesting the implementation of technology would improve the individualization of instruction by increasing the instructors ability to navigate and facilitate lessons for ease student with ease and accessibility (2013). Technology, via word processing software, blog sites, interactive learning websites and wiki platforms allow teachers to easily modify and change lesson plans to accommodate all types of learners. Progressing from a whole group instruction plan to an individualized learning plan will help to facilitate and encourage the growth of personalized learning systems.
- Lastly, the transfer of knowledge from a traditional classroom setting to a virtual classroom helps to personalize learning and increase individual productivity. Students have the ability to interact with other students via online discussion posts, online group discussions and projects and through collaborative learning groups and social media. Also, the use of flipped classrooms through screencast and jing can facilitate the home-school connection and allow students and children and parents to interact on a daily basis. A three tiered model of instruction in a virtual environment is presented by De Oliveria in an essay presented on virtual learning environments. This three tier system involves the construction of the virtual environment, the implementation of the virtual classroom and the assessment of instruction in a virtual environment (2013). Virtual learning helps to increase personal learning instruction by creating online learning environments where students can learn and collaborate in their own atmosphere and comfort zone.
References
(2013, June 20). Five essential points of individualized learning plans. Family & Home
Examiner (USA).
de Oliveira, J., Esteve, V., & Camacho, M. (2013). Interaction in the virtual world: an analysis of students' construal of pedagogic subject positions in a 3D virtual learning environment. Text & Talk: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Language, Discourse & Communication Studies, (3), 353.
Huang, Y., Liang, T., Su, Y., & Chen, N. (2012). Empowering Personalized Learning with an
Interactive E-Book Learning System for Elementary School Students. Educational
Technology Research And Development, 60(4), 703-722.
Sadofsky, M., Knollmann-Ritschel, B., Conran, R. M., & Prystowsky, M. B. (2014). National
Standards in Pathology Education:
