Vision
In my opinion, the most effective way that we can use technology in P-12 schools is to personalize learning for students. This quote from A Vision For Personalized Learning in Georgia K-12 Schools Written by Anissa Lokey-Vega and Stephanee Stephens highlights the importance of this vision:
“In order for Georgia to develop future adults who are adaptable to this ever-changing workforce demand, Georgia must take on statewide change in the education system that mirrors the changes of personalization we see in other industries (2018).”
With the rapid increase of technology available to students and educators, personalized learning is now a feasible goal. It will be possible to give students the opportunity to choose how they will learn new content and at what pace they will go. Students will be able to create a product of their choosing to demonstrate their mastery of that content. Technology provides the portability for students to be able to choose almost any environment for their learning.
In the future, we will see fewer textbooks and more devices in the hands of students. A textbook is not able to provide differentiated strategies as effectively as technology resources. Technology resources can be adapted to address the unique learning goals of every student.
Teachers will serve a much different role. In order to provide an effective personalized learning approach, teachers will make the shift from lecturer to facilitator. Lokey-Vega and Stephens mention the nine essential conditions of prioritized executive function, growth mindset, individual path, flexible content, learner voice, authentic and adaptive assessment, dynamic communication, expanded collaboration, and mastery disposition (2018). The teacher’s role is to facilitate as students develop each of these conditions. This provides students with the opportunity to increase their level of buy in.
All of these changes will create an environment where students are developing skills they will need as professionals someday. They will be collaborating with peers in the classroom, other students around the world, community members, and professionals who are currently doing the jobs that they would like to do. These changes will promote more engagement and prepare them much better for their futures.
References:
Lokey-Vega, A., & Stephens, S. (2018). A Vision For Personalized Learning in Georgia K-12 Schools. Retrieved from https://bagwell.kennesaw.edu/current- students/docs/Personalized_Learning_Vision_for_Georgia.pdf
“In order for Georgia to develop future adults who are adaptable to this ever-changing workforce demand, Georgia must take on statewide change in the education system that mirrors the changes of personalization we see in other industries (2018).”
With the rapid increase of technology available to students and educators, personalized learning is now a feasible goal. It will be possible to give students the opportunity to choose how they will learn new content and at what pace they will go. Students will be able to create a product of their choosing to demonstrate their mastery of that content. Technology provides the portability for students to be able to choose almost any environment for their learning.
In the future, we will see fewer textbooks and more devices in the hands of students. A textbook is not able to provide differentiated strategies as effectively as technology resources. Technology resources can be adapted to address the unique learning goals of every student.
Teachers will serve a much different role. In order to provide an effective personalized learning approach, teachers will make the shift from lecturer to facilitator. Lokey-Vega and Stephens mention the nine essential conditions of prioritized executive function, growth mindset, individual path, flexible content, learner voice, authentic and adaptive assessment, dynamic communication, expanded collaboration, and mastery disposition (2018). The teacher’s role is to facilitate as students develop each of these conditions. This provides students with the opportunity to increase their level of buy in.
All of these changes will create an environment where students are developing skills they will need as professionals someday. They will be collaborating with peers in the classroom, other students around the world, community members, and professionals who are currently doing the jobs that they would like to do. These changes will promote more engagement and prepare them much better for their futures.
References:
Lokey-Vega, A., & Stephens, S. (2018). A Vision For Personalized Learning in Georgia K-12 Schools. Retrieved from https://bagwell.kennesaw.edu/current- students/docs/Personalized_Learning_Vision_for_Georgia.pdf