Lessons Learned
After piloting pockets of customized learning throughout the three districts, below are the lessons learned by various stakeholders:
- Allow teachers to lead as many processes as possible not only ensures buy-in but establishes processes that work best "in the trenches."
- Give teachers time together to look at data and refine processes. Currently Danville pilot teachers have one day a month together that has proven to be extremely useful time
- Communication is key- with parents, with community members, and especially with teachers.
- Focus on the why before focusing on the how- customizing learning is what is best for students.
- Communicate the importance of an IEP for EVERY student.
- Personalized learning has a lot of entry points, but at the heart is a truly student centered approach to instructional design and assessment.
- Students need guidance on how to become individual learners. They need help and encouragement when it comes to time management and organizational skills.
- Setting learning targets for students can be challenging; however, teachers have found that it's helpful to break down the standards in order to answer the question, "What do we want our students to know?"