Download a PDF of the Key Takeaways
The use of personalized learning approaches in K-12 schools is expanding, fueled by new teaching approaches and technological advances. But making personalized learning work in the classroom is easier said than done. That reality is in clear view based on the results of a nationally representative survey of teachers on personalized learning, conducted by the Education Week Research Center. It examined teachers’ perspectives on the power of new learning technologies to personalized learning, what they think of students setting their own learning goals, the role of adaptive curricula and assessments to empower students to learn at their own pace and to provide remediation or enrichment experiences for students, and more. This online summit will help keep Education Week readers ahead of the curve in an edgy, critical, and useful way by staying on top of how technological advances are changing personalized learning, what school/classroom practices (non-tech as well as tech-oriented ones) are showing the greatest impact on student learning, and what balance needs to be achieved between too much use of technology and not enough.
Event Video
Personalized Learning: What Works? In Conversation With Education Week
Agenda
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET | Discussions Open
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Personalized Learning Is Hard to Do. Teachers Tell Us Why
Using the results of a nationally representative survey of teachers on personalized learning topics as a starting point, this discussion will examine teachers’ perspectives, such as why it is difficult for them to make personalized learning work, what improvements in student learning educators have seen from personalized learning efforts, and how classroom practices are shifting to support these new approaches. The discussion will also examine specific survey results on practices such as allowing students to set their own learning goals, the use of multi-age classrooms, and the effectiveness of adaptive curricula and assessments.
Alyson Klein is an assistant editor for Education Week.
Sterling Lloyd manages the development of surveys and data analyses for the Education Week Research Center.
Dria Setter
Professional Development Specialist,
Institute for Personalized Learning
Kate Sommerville
Personalized Learning Professional Development Specialist,
Institute for Personalized Learning
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Principals and Teachers: Are They on the Same Page?
Teachers and principals appear to have different takes on the effectiveness and potential of personalized learning. That came through loud and clear when the Education Week Research Center conducted a comparison of a 2018 national survey of principals on technology issues and a 2019 survey of teachers on personalized learning. Teachers tend to be more critical and skeptical about these approaches compared with principals. Why is that the case? And how do they need to work better together to make personalized learning initiatives work?
Kevin Bushweller oversees coverage of educational technology and learning environments for Education Week.
Michael DeArmond
Senior Research Analyst,
Center on Reinventing Public Education
Troy Paradee
Director,
Nexus Program, Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg, Vt.
Michelle Wheatfill
Assistant Principal,
C.C. Ronnow Elementary School, Clark County Schools, Nev.
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Getting Personalized Pacing Right
Personalized learning dictates that students should have control over pace—how much time they spend on new material, and when they move on. But how does this practically work in a classroom of 30 students, all on the same academic schedule? In our national survey of teachers, the most commonly cited barrier to personalized learning related to pacing. What steps can schools take to overcome those barriers?
Sarah Schwartz is a reporter for Education Week who covers curriculum and instruction.
Caroline Bailey
Middle School Teacher,
Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Chaska, Minn.
Jennifer Larson
Middle School Teacher,
Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Chaska, Minn.
Dana Miller
Principal,
Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Chaska, Minn.
Dan Thompson
Middle School Teacher,
Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Chaska, Minn.
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Letting Students Take the Lead Through Genius Hour
Genius hour, in which teachers set aside time for students to work on a research project of their choice, is a chance for students to explore their interests, hone their creativity, and become an expert in a given field. In this session, Denise Krebs, the co-author of The Genius Hour Guidebook, will share best practices.
Madeline Will is a reporter for Education Week who covers the teaching profession.
Denise Krebs
Teacher,
Al Raja School, The Kingdom of Bahrain
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Artificial Intelligence for Personalized Learning: Dynamic Duo or Big Problem?
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic of conversation in educational technology and a trend that will likely have a big impact on K-12. This discussion will examine whether intelligent tutors can really help students master material in new ways and end up being helpful partners to teachers. On the flip side, there are big concerns that AI could replace teachers, cause big data privacy problem, and inject biases into K-12 education. Hear what our guests think the road ahead looks like for AI in education.
Andreas Oranje
Vice President of Assessment and Learning Technology Development,
ETS
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Unlock Limitless Learning
Content provided by Microsoft
Join dyslexia and LD expert Rachel Berger for a discussion on how to remove roadblocks for students who learn differently because every student is unique and deserves an education that unlocks their limitless potential. Learning about the commonly experienced challenges students have in reading, writing and math helps educators to ensure students of all abilities are able to access the curriculum, engage in their community, personalize learning and gain in independence. In this discussion room, Rachel will take a look at student examples and the solutions that removed roadblocks so they could achieve more.
Join dyslexia and LD expert Rachel Berger for a discussion on how to remove roadblocks for students who learn differently because every student is unique and deserves an education that unlocks their limitless potential. Learning about the commonly experienced challenges students have in reading, writing and math helps educators to ensure students of all abilities are able to access the curriculum, engage in their community, personalize learning and gain in independence. In this discussion room, Rachel will take a look at student examples and the solutions that removed roadblocks so they could achieve more.
Rachel Berger
Assistive Tech Evangelist,
Dyslexia and LD Community Leader
2:30–3:00 p.m. ET
Final Reporter Wrap-up
Personalized Learning: What Works?: In Conversation With Education Week
Led by the Assistant Managing Editor Kevin Bushweller, the Education Week newsroom will close out the day with insights from the discussions they’ve had with you, the readers.
Led by the Assistant Managing Editor Kevin Bushweller, the Education Week newsroom will close out the day with insights from the discussions they’ve had with you, the readers.