Personalized Learning Practice in U.S. Learner-Centered Schools

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Personalized Learning Practice in U.S. Learner-Centered Schools
Language: English
Authors: Lee, Dabae (ORCID 0000-0001-9641-2015), Huh, Yeol (ORCID 0000-0002-3313-4262), Lin, Chun-Yi (ORCID 0000-0001-5513-2391), Reigeluth, Charles Morgan (ORCID 0000-0001-6075-5155)
Source: Contemporary Educational Technology. 2022 14(4):385.
Availability: Contemporary Educational Technology. Faculty of Communication Sciences, Anadolu University, Yunus Emre Campus, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey. e-mail: editor@cedtech.net; Web site: http://www.cedtech.net
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Student Centered Learning, Individualized Instruction, Career Choice, Educational Change, Outcomes of Education, Teacher Attitudes, Kindergarten, Elementary Secondary Education, Problem Based Learning, Student Projects, Active Learning, Institutional Characteristics, Teacher Student Relationship, Educational Practices, Competency Based Education, Criterion Referenced Tests, Performance Based Assessment, Evaluation Methods, Alignment (Education), National Surveys
ISSN: 1309-517X
Abstract: Personalized learning (PL) has been internationally promoted as a future direction of educational reform efforts. While there is growing evidence of PL enhancing learning outcomes, teachers reported having difficulty envisioning PL in practice. This national survey study investigated how PL is practiced in K-12 learner-centered schools in the U.S. to inform educators of learner-centered teachers' PL practice and identify gaps between their practice and research. Five essential components were identified: PL plans, competency-based student progress, criterion-referenced assessment, project- or problem-based learning, and multi-year mentoring. Based on the five components, we identified 308 learner-centered schools and received 272 teacher responses from 41 schools. The five components were implemented with different levels of implementation fidelity. We uncovered several areas in need of improvement. Career goals were not often considered when creating PL plans. A misalignment between student progress and assessment practice was found. There was a lack of community involvement during the PBL process. Teachers were not able to build a close relationship with all students. These findings from learner-centered schools revealed that paradigm change demands continuous effort to transform all aspects of the educational system. Suggestions are made for practice and future research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1364877
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Personalized learning (PL) has been internationally promoted as a future direction of educational reform efforts. While there is growing evidence of PL enhancing learning outcomes, teachers reported having difficulty envisioning PL in practice. This national survey study investigated how PL is practiced in K-12 learner-centered schools in the U.S. to inform educators of learner-centered teachers' PL practice and identify gaps between their practice and research. Five essential components were identified: PL plans, competency-based student progress, criterion-referenced assessment, project- or problem-based learning, and multi-year mentoring. Based on the five components, we identified 308 learner-centered schools and received 272 teacher responses from 41 schools. The five components were implemented with different levels of implementation fidelity. We uncovered several areas in need of improvement. Career goals were not often considered when creating PL plans. A misalignment between student progress and assessment practice was found. There was a lack of community involvement during the PBL process. Teachers were not able to build a close relationship with all students. These findings from learner-centered schools revealed that paradigm change demands continuous effort to transform all aspects of the educational system. Suggestions are made for practice and future research.
ISSN:1309-517X