Personalized Learning
what is it?
Let's start with what personalized learning is NOT. It's not separate lesson plans individualized for each of your learners. That's insane.
Instead, personalized learning models allow students to have some control over what I call the differentiation grid: choice over content, process, or product based on their interest, readiness level, or learning preference.
Each of the models below approaches personalized learning in a different way, but what they all have in common is self-pacing. In this model of teaching, you become facilitator as students work their way through your curated set of activities, lessons, and assessments.
three personalized learning models
the playlist model
Think of this like a self-paced HyperDoc. We give students access to their learning ahead of time, and they work through it at their own pace.
This isn't to say we can't put in stopping points. If we want to have an in-person discussion on Ch. 7, for example, we'd indicate this on the playlist (perhaps with a literal stop sign).
Students might need to complete everything on the playlist; they might have some choice with what they'd like to complete.
In-class time might be used to
facilitate independent/group work through the playlist
support a specific activity on the playlist
introduce a separate activity from the playlist entirely.
the 5E model
This is the constructivist approach to lesson planning, helping students build on ideas as they progress throughout the cycle. This process works well in the sciences, as well as anything research or inquiry-based, as it encourages students solve problems and investigate new concepts by asking questions, observing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions.
Find a lesson plan template here, and more explanations here.
the grid method
If you haven't experienced this before, it's best to start by looking at a sample.
The idea is that students begin at the bottom level of DOK and that skills and content become more difficult as they cycle up from left to right.
If you follow the philosophy of The Grid Method, students must achieve at least 85% mastery before moving on to the next learning opportunity.
Find moments to pause and bring the whole class together, even if students are in different places.
Interested? Take the FREE Teach Better Grid Method course
personalized learning templates
resources
University of Kentucky's 5E Learning Cycle Overview
The Teach Better Team's Grid Method Online Course
The Cult of Pedagogy's "Using Playlists to Differentiate Instruction"
Hyperdocs Academy Using the 5E model to personalize learning.