I don’t like the term “personalized learning.” It’s redundant. Learning IS personal. We know that the best classrooms are built around relationships. We know that healthy environments for great learning are those where teams function like a healthy family. So, why is it that we separate learning?
Let’s empower learners. It’s not “here’s a pile of devices, use this app.” It’s check this out.
Play.
Explore.
What could this be used for?
What might happen if…”
Listening. Giving. Taking. Exploring. Trying. Failing. Inspiring. Motivating. Falling. Getting Up.
Learning.
Learners need time to play, tinker, organically grow their own ideas. They don’t need a guide to follow, unless they do, then allow them to. Their needs, desires, and style. But also their creating. Solving. Developing grit, resilience, and experiencing the highs and lows of the roller coaster of learning.
You probably assumed by “learner” I was talking about kids. Read this again and think of teachers. Teachers ARE learners. We say it out loud, but I’m not sure we provide that type of professional development. It can’t come from a bulleted slide, it can only come from personal relationships.
Time, energy, and space. Small group, large group. Online course. Offline meeting. One on one. Informal. Formal. Inspiring keynote. Quiet reflection. Blogpost. Mentor. Modeling. Sharing. Collaborating. Risk-taking. That’s all learning.
And we offer bulleted slides or step by step demonstration 99% of the time. Slides that aren’t even personal.
And we know that learning is.
