LEARNER AGENCY
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Individualized Learning Paths
Meeting students where they are is a challenge that all teachers must face when cultivating a curriculum that supports engaged and active learning in content being taught. Students learn at different paces and interest levels in particular topics are diverse just like the student we teach. Awareness of these things allow teachers the opportunity to create learning experiences that appeal to students and provide them with authentic and meaningful curriculum. Individualized learning paths is a strategy that support this goal that focuses on differentiating for students and providing students the tools to meet their learning targets and goals. Pappas (2021) states that individual learning pathways focus on the goals and objectives of each student and take their preferences into account. Student are provided clear and concise expectations of the objectives that they are working to achieve as well as teachers can analyze and interpret data regarding student learning needs and development. The individualized learning path are designed for students to choose how they will receive content based on their needs and learning styles which supports student engagement and interaction with content. Barron(n.d) supports this stating Studies of young children illustrate the idea that engagement in activities develops interest and knowledge across multiple settings and longer timescales than are typically the focus of learning sciences research.
Creating individual learning paths can seem daunting to many teachers, because the diversity of students in classrooms consists of wide ranges from interests to learning needs and learning styles. Integrating personalized learning takes effective planning to ensure there is room and this planning is also apart of the integration of learning paths for students. However, the planning is needed, the student benefits in learning are tremendous. According to Vander (2015), teachers creating a learning list increases their effectiveness and helps (teachers) grow professionally because building list naturally brings up questions around practice. Teachers can develop their toolkit and resources as well through the curation of individualized learning paths. According to Burton (2021), the best learning paths begin with a needs assessment analysis. Implementing a pre assessment to gauge student interests and prior learning is helpful in ensuring that teachers provide the proper and necessary resources to curate an engaging learning path for students that also meets students where they are.
Creating individual learning paths can seem daunting to many teachers, because the diversity of students in classrooms consists of wide ranges from interests to learning needs and learning styles. Integrating personalized learning takes effective planning to ensure there is room and this planning is also apart of the integration of learning paths for students. However, the planning is needed, the student benefits in learning are tremendous. According to Vander (2015), teachers creating a learning list increases their effectiveness and helps (teachers) grow professionally because building list naturally brings up questions around practice. Teachers can develop their toolkit and resources as well through the curation of individualized learning paths. According to Burton (2021), the best learning paths begin with a needs assessment analysis. Implementing a pre assessment to gauge student interests and prior learning is helpful in ensuring that teachers provide the proper and necessary resources to curate an engaging learning path for students that also meets students where they are.
Co-Plan and Co-Design Learning Pathways
Student 1
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Student 2
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This student is a student who relies heavily on the notes provided in class to ensure her understanding of new content being taught in the classroom. This student was identified as a beginning learner about electromagnetic waves using the data gathered from the assessments given to gauge student understanding. This student chose to complete learning path three to ensure that she would have notes that she could use to support comprehension of the material. Electromagnetic Wave Learning Path three provides multiple opportunities and instructional activities for students to craft their own notes.
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This student is an independent student that often requires opportunities to elaborate on their learning through project-based learning opportunities. This student scored proficient levels on his assessments and had a grasp on the Electromagnetic Spectrum before I could begin the lesson. This student chose to complete learning path two, which integrated independent learning and an opportunity for the student to complete project-based assessment that extends their learning opportunity.
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Use of Assessment Data for Co-Planning Learning Paths
Nearpod
At the conclusion of the introductory lesson on electromagnetic waves, students took an assessment to measure their understanding of the lesson based on the Nearpod that the class completed. The data from this assessment was used and discussed during co-planning with the student to establish which learning path the student would use.
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Quizizz
Students completed a pre-assessment that assessed student knowledge of Electromagnetic Spectrum, students co planned then co planned with me to discuss their prior knowledge of waves before beginning a learning path. The information gathered during the pre-assessment was used to determine which instructional activities students would complete to work towards the mastery of Electromagnetic Spectrum.
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Exit Slip
Based on exit slips students complete each day, I can discuss with students their learning path and the direction in which their learning will progress based on the learning target based around students learning about the electromagnetic spectrum. Throughout a week, I take the overall grade for the week and co plan with students on which learning path they need to take. Based on students’ needs, I created three different Learning Paths for students.
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Coaching Learners towards Independence in Mastery
Quizlet Study
As students navigate through the content of Electromagnetic waves, students utilized Quizlet.com to work on their progression to mastery of electromagnetic waves. Using the study set within Quizlet, students can take the assessment based on study set provided. Once students make an 80% or higher, students can progress in their learning.
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Itslearning Playlists
Itslearning is the learning management system in our district. The popular feature within the platform is known as Learning Playlists. Learning Playlists are designed to personalize the learning for each student in the classroom. Based on student data, students were directed to one of three different learning playlists within itslearning. Before students can move to the next instructional activity, they must master the activity they are working on. Mastery is achieved at a pace that is suitable for each student.
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Student Reflections
Student reflections are great for assessing student progress throughout a unit. As student progress through the electromagnetic waves unit, periodically during exit slips I will have students complete a student reflection using Microsoft forms to gather information about where students are in their learning through a unit. This ensures students have clear and concise goals that they are working towards achieving.
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References
Burton, C. (2021, July 16). What is a learning path? (and how to design one). Thinkific. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.thinkific.com/blog/learning-path-design-and-examples/
Pappas, C. (2021, May 12). 7 tips to create personal learning paths in elearning. eLearning Industry. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://elearningindustry.com/7-tips-create-personal-learningpathselearning#:~:text=A%20personal%20learning%20path%20is,in%20during%20the%20eLearning%20experience.
Tomlinson, C. (n.d.). What is Differentiated Instruction. Reading Rockets. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-differentiated-instruction
Vander Ark, T. (2015, November 10). The Perks of Personalized Pathways & Playlists. Getting Smart. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/11/10/the-perks-of-personalized-pathways-playlists/
Pappas, C. (2021, May 12). 7 tips to create personal learning paths in elearning. eLearning Industry. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://elearningindustry.com/7-tips-create-personal-learningpathselearning#:~:text=A%20personal%20learning%20path%20is,in%20during%20the%20eLearning%20experience.
Tomlinson, C. (n.d.). What is Differentiated Instruction. Reading Rockets. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-differentiated-instruction
Vander Ark, T. (2015, November 10). The Perks of Personalized Pathways & Playlists. Getting Smart. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/11/10/the-perks-of-personalized-pathways-playlists/