The Future of Education

Personalized learning is an innovative instructional practice that allows teachers to take advantage of technology to address students' needs. A Los Angeles charter high school implements a unique learning environment utilizing a variety of tools to personalize learning for each student. Using an online learning management system (LMS), teachers transform their practice by developing self-paced modules that free up instructional time. Teachers are empowered to translate traditional pedagogical lessons into digital instruction that incorporates Bloom's taxonomy and constructivist learning theories.   Once the module foundation is in place, teachers can focus class time on the development of student workshops that allow them to work exclusively with individuals and small groups, using targeted interventions. Using live data, the instructor implements the cycle of Assess, Analyze, and Act to gauge student gaps in knowledge, skills, and motivation, and determine specific strategies that will directly impact student learning. Furthermore, to prepare students for the complexities of the real world, teachers curate reality-based performance task assessments to personalize learning for each student, thereby allowing individuals to acquire 21st-century critical thinking skills of collaboration, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. This dynamic personalized learning model has been replicated successfully across five Los Angeles based charter schools that serve minority students in urban areas. Practical strategies will be presented to replicate this model at a secondary school site. 

Keywords: Personalized learning, Digital curriculum, Interventions, Self-paced, Reality-based assessments, Technology;