Students at the Center
Fairport Harbor Schools Personalized Learning Initative
TEACHER EDITION!
Personalized Learning at FHS
Hello Staff!! The purpose of this newsletter is to help develop a deeper understanding of the Personalized Learning initiative in Fairport Harbor, share strategies & research, and to provide you with resources to try some new things within the PL framework! Please reach out to me with any questions you have! Throughout this newsletter I will be quoting directly from Personalized Learning in a PLC at Work (Where ever you see a page number or quotes) and also adding my own summary. I think this book has an amazing wealth of information that will help us on our journey- I will be providing the highlights / resources and other materials for you over then next several weeks.
Keep Learning Everyone!
Mrs. Polak
Where have we been and why is this needed?
"Globally, education systems, including those in the United States, were designed to engage students in a standardized experience that prepared them to play a specific role in society. Schools separated and groomed a limited number of students who excelled in the standard experience for post secondary education and professional careers. Schools trained students who did not perform that well in the general curriculum to be contributors to society through the acquisition of specific skills that held value in the economy. Universal access to education was based in the industrial economy, and it's legacy is prevalent in virtually every aspect of contemporary schools." (PG10)
1. The teacher was the knower and the student was the learner.
2. Teacher held discrete knowledge and transmitted it to students
3. Student was to be attentive and retain said knowledge.
4. Schools provided a uniform experience (Same content, Same Subjects, Same metrics FOR.EVERYONE.)
If we are to adequately prepare students for an uncertain future economy, our focus must shift.
What does the research say?
The authors compiled research from a diverse collection of public, charter, independent, international, and foreign public schools spanning elementary, middle and high school levels.
All schools displayed a compelling vision and intentional actions.
They have articulated the patterns found in three categories: 1. Highly Effective Schools, 2.Learning-Progressive Schools and 3. Highly Effective AND Learning progressive schools. The features are summarized below.
Highly Effective Schools
Receive accolades for education
Guaranteed and Viable curriculum (Marzano 2003)
Students master curriculum
Traditional metrics are strong
Largely neglect trans-disciplinary skills
"These schools have a lot of flash- like interesting products, innovation centers, or well-marked innovative programs- but there is an absence of real-future focused outcomes for learners." (pg14)
Learning-Progressive Schools
Amazingly innovative
Student products are future relevant
Almost entirely based on learner interest and learner choice
Progressive pedagogical approaches
Non-traditional structures (often outside the framework of traditional standards and assessment)
Students demonstrate robust transdisciplinary skills
Authentic Learning experiences
"Students often have large gaps in foundational knowledge. These schools empower students with choice and relevance but do not have a standards-based, guaranteed and viable curriculum, thus neglecting the core knowledge base that students need."
Highly Effective AND Learning Progressive schools
Highly focused disciplinary outcomes
Clearly articulated transdisciplinary skills curriculum
Learning progressive pedagogical approach
Emphasize specific, lifelong learning outcomes
Embody the essential practices of a PLC
Cultivate student-agency behaviors
Teach students how to personalize their learning process.
Essential Practices of a PLC (p16)
1. What do I want to know, understand or be able to do?
2. How will I demonstrate that I have learned it?
3. What will I do what I am NOT learning?
4. What will I do when I have already learned it?
Final Thoughts
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AGENCY
Highly effective and learning progressive schools focus on 3 critical areas:
1. They focus on clearly defined, essential disciplinary knowledge.
2. They incorporate transdisciplinary, future-ready skills; and
3. They cultivate student-agency behaviors
Up NEXT: We will jump into STUDENT AGENCY FOR PERSONALIZED LEARNING!! :)
Contact Us About Personalized Learning
Jennifer Polak
Personalized Learning Coordinator
Director of Pupil-Personnel
Email: jpolak@fhevs.org
Website: www.fhevs.org
Location: 329 Vine Street, Fairport Harbor, OH, USA
Phone: 440-354-5400
Twitter: @Mrs_JPolak