By: Amanda Hobson
After five years honing my craft teaching first grade, I learned how to differentiate despite the curriculum demands imposed by administration. Now, I am fortunate to be a part of the personalized learning movement that provides a new promise of reaching every student’s academic needs. Charleston County School District (CCSD) is one of sixteen nationwide recipients of the Race to the Top District federal grant to increase personalized learning environments.
CCSD stakeholders have started this work first by focusing on classroom culture, while providing opportunities for students to have a voice in their learning. At the beginning of the school year, teachers and students worked together to create a Shared Vision of what they hope to accomplish this year. Instead of following a set of rules decided by the teacher, students helped establish a Code of Cooperation to support accomplishing their vision.
Now, students are setting behavioral goals that align with their class Code of Cooperation. Some students even utilize a Plan-Do-Check-Adjust goal-setting cycle, a method currently used in businesses around the world to monitor continuous improvement.
Another piece to CCSD’s personalized learning journey is the integration of technology. Each student will have access to an iPad to use online-learning programs and apps as one way to demonstrate mastery of standards and increase 21st century skills.
In the short time since the school year began, there has been a positive shift in school culture. Students have ownership not only of their behavior, but their learning as well. Teachers are working with students to unpack standards and create learning pathways to master those standards. As we continue to implement personalized learning, there will be more project-based and challenge-based learning opportunities, which will provide rigor and meaning to learning.
Personalized Learning is the future of education, providing a renewed promise that all students will receive the education they need and deserve.
CCSD stakeholders have started this work first by focusing on classroom culture, while providing opportunities for students to have a voice in their learning. At the beginning of the school year, teachers and students worked together to create a Shared Vision of what they hope to accomplish this year. Instead of following a set of rules decided by the teacher, students helped establish a Code of Cooperation to support accomplishing their vision.
Now, students are setting behavioral goals that align with their class Code of Cooperation. Some students even utilize a Plan-Do-Check-Adjust goal-setting cycle, a method currently used in businesses around the world to monitor continuous improvement.
Another piece to CCSD’s personalized learning journey is the integration of technology. Each student will have access to an iPad to use online-learning programs and apps as one way to demonstrate mastery of standards and increase 21st century skills.
In the short time since the school year began, there has been a positive shift in school culture. Students have ownership not only of their behavior, but their learning as well. Teachers are working with students to unpack standards and create learning pathways to master those standards. As we continue to implement personalized learning, there will be more project-based and challenge-based learning opportunities, which will provide rigor and meaning to learning.
Personalized Learning is the future of education, providing a renewed promise that all students will receive the education they need and deserve.
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