Personalized Learning (PL) is a one-size-fits-one approach to instruction that (1) taps into each student's strengths, needs, and interests to customize learning and (2) supports student voice and choice in what, how, when, and where they learn to ensure that all students achieve at their greatest potential. It requires the parent, the teacher, and most importantly the student, to partner in their education.

In order to ensure our learners are future-ready, we must provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in a different world than the one we grew up in. Personalized Learning provides educators with the strategies to meet individual needs and provide authentic learning opportunities that emulate what it might look like to apply learning in a future career or situation.

Role of the Student, Teacher, and
​Family in a Personalized Learning Environment 

Role of the Student

Actively engage in her learning and make connections to prior knowledge.

Set goals, track his own progress and persist in achieving them.

Collaborate with peers and teachers to maximize her learning experiences.

Advocate for himself by asking questions and looking for resources that further his learning. 

Role of the Teacher 

Develop a student- centered learning environment that adapts to students’ strengths, motivations, interests, and needs.

Design learning experiences that facilitate critical thinking and make connections that produce real world application.

Make communication and collaboration a regular part of the learning environment.

​ Develop a classroom culture that fosters creativity and values the talents of each student.

​ Advocate for student needs and work with support staff to meet those needs.  

Role of the Family/ Caregiver 

​ Be an informed advocate for your child’s learning. Share information with teachers, mentors, and providers involved in your child’s learning.

​ Be Intentional about cultivating mindsets and habits that support lifelong learning. Promote ownership and involve your child in opportunities to learn and demonstrate learning.

Get Involved! Learn alongside your child and promote student-centered learning by exploring options for how, where, and when your child learns.

​ Inspire your child to try, persist, and progress. Model as you watch, listen, empathize, connect, and activate.

This section is adapted from:
Friend, B., Patrick, S., Schneider, C., & Vander Ark, T. (2017). What’s Possible with Personalized Learning? Vienna, VA: International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

How Personalized Learning is Different 

Integrate Positive Youth Development

Caring, consistent student-adult relationships that communicate high expectations for student learning and behavior

Clear expectations for student competencies and standards of performance

Opportunities for students to contribute to the school environment and have a voice in decisions

Encouragement of student responsibility for meeting learning and personal goals

Openness to and encouragement of family participation

​Integration of community participation, assets and culture

Prioritize Mastery of Rigorous Standards Aligned to College + Career Readiness

​Curriculum that enables all students to meet rigorous standards

Multiple opportunities for students to show mastery through performance-based assessments

​Student advancement based on demonstration of mastery of knowledge and skills

Personalize Student Learning to Meet Student Needs

Instruction in a variety of learning modalities, linked to students’ strengths and learning goals

Data-driven, real-time feedback for students and teachers Embedded, performance-based formative assessments

Effective use of technology for anytime, anywhere learning

Empower and Support Students

Links between future academic and career paths and current learning

​Transparency about where students stand on their academic progress

This section is taken directly from:​
Friend, B., Patrick, S., Schneider, C., & Vander Ark, T. (2017). What’s Possible with Personalized Learning? Vienna, VA: International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

ISTE Standards for Students

Personalized Learning aims to create learner-centered environments that embrace opportunities that encourage student agency and future-ready learning.

This section highlights the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)'s standards for students. Use the videos below to see what student learning might look like in a Personalized Learning environment.

Empowered Learner ​
I use technology to set goals, word toward achieving them and demonstrate my learning. 

Digital Citizen
I understand the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world.

Global Collaborator 
I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others and work effectively in teams using digital tools.

Creative Communicator 
I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.

Knowledge Constructor 
I critically select, evaluate, and synthesize digital resources into a collect that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Computational Thinker
I identify authentic problems, work with data and use a step-by-step process to automate solutions.

Innovative Designer 
I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools.

This section highlights the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)'s standards for students. 
​ISTE. (n.d.). https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-students