Studies have shown that the traditional teaching model designed for broad use does not work for many students. Now many educational institutions use digital technologies, on the basis of which they build a model of personalized learning, which allows students to develop a wide range of competencies in the context of their personal interests.
Tools And Strategies For Personalized Learning
1. Choice boards
One of the most common problems teachers face is the planning of engaging hands-on activities that are accessible to each student. It is a well-known fact that the one-size-fits-all approach does not work. That’s why there are many proponents of choice boards. Choice boards can be used for any class or discipline.
2. Project-based learning
What is the peculiarity of this technique? Education has remained one of the most conservative and unchanging areas of human activity for a long time. Yes, computers, interactive whiteboards, projectors, and other equipment has appeared in schools, but all these are just auxiliary tools. The approach to teaching itself has not really changed: the teacher explains, and the students listen, note down, then answer.
The project-based learning technique involves the complete immersion of each student in the learning process. In this concept, the teacher only tries to coordinate the learning process, gives almost complete freedom for creativity, and students try on the role of experts in different fields. From the name of the methodology, it becomes clear that the key moment in learning is the project.
The project can be market analysis, research in a field, organization of an exhibition, creative work such as creating a video/mini-movie, etc. Students are given a topic, limited time, and clear assessment criteria. For example, students may be given the task of conducting research on the impact of technology on communication between people. If they don’t know what to write on this topic, they can order research papers on some writing services like EssayBulls.
3. Immersive technologies
Immersive technologies provide a “presence effect” – deep immersion in what is happening. They allow students to create “impossible” experiences and impressions. This includes virtual reality headsets, mixed reality helmets, augmented reality glasses – without them, it would be impossible to imagine a lesson in the school of the future.
The history of Ancient Rome would be more easily remembered if a student could put himself or herself through the life of gladiators, or speak with Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. In geography lessons, it will be possible to stroke the Amur tiger and even hunt for a mammoth. In biology classes, virtual travels within the human body will become common.
Digital twin technology opens up even more possibilities. A copy of an object from the real world is transferred to virtual reality or recreated in a computer simulation. Such 3D modeling can bring life to the lessons of physics, chemistry, and biology.
Immersive devices will leave students without homework, grades, and exams. The computer built into the glasses will be able to evaluate learning even by the reaction of the pupils. The pupils, as has been studied, expand and contract while solving problems.
The direction of immersive technologies is the most promising for investors. According to the forecasts of research firm Markets and Markets, the market for virtual devices in the next 5 years will add 58% annually. The main “players” on it now: Microsoft, Apple, Google, Oculus, Samsung, and HTC.
4. Artificial intelligence
In 2017, developers working on artificial intelligence actively introduced advancements in deep learning technology. As a subdivision of machine learning, it gives impetus to the development of organic computer advancement, speech recognition, and natural language. Apple, Google, Amazon, IBM, Facebook, and Baidu, as well as young startups, have flooded the market with devices running voice assistants (Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, Amazon Echo, Google Home, and others).
It won’t be long when the current crop of “smart speakers” with voice control will be replaced by more advanced AI mentors. A suitable form of artificial intelligence will be selected. For example, an android in the guise of William Shakespeare will perfectly teach English literature, and, going further, his colleague could be one in the persona of Maria Sklodowska Curie teaching physics.
5. Online training
A world-famous professor can give his lecture in Paris, and a student from a provincial university somewhere in Edmonton can listen to it and even asks questions. In the future, such a training format will become common. The Internet and other technologies will make education accessible to billions of people.
It is possible that a student of the future will be trained in a project and be able to gain a foothold with several professors at once. For an internship, it is not necessary to go thousands of kilometers from home. Experience and skills can be developed remotely. Online courses of the world’s leading educators, the best educational programs, and other types of distance learning – the choice is huge!
For instance, if the students have a problem keeping up with some language classes, they can find help from some online language school. Language Trainers are there to help the student overcome the obstacles and point to the mistakes he or she makes. On the other hand, students can indulge themselves and try learning some new language as well. With the development of technology, online learning platforms gain popularity very much, so we should take advantage of it by improving our knowledge, skills, and education. We should do everything that we can to support our personalized learning.
6. Students learning at their own pace
Flipped instruction is a relatively new trend that appeared in the early 2000s. The idea of this method is to reverse the normal learning process: instead of attending lectures at school and studying at home, students watch lectures at home and participate in different activities during classes. This gives students the opportunity to watch lectures at their own pace, stopping or rewinding them when they consider it necessary. Students can also chat and ask questions through online chats with their teachers and classmates.
If personalized learning is understood as a combination of factors, namely individual educational tracks, opportunities for the development of social skills through a practice-oriented approach, and interaction with a teacher and classmates in small groups, this, of course, ultimately will have a positive effect. Indeed, if more opportunities for a conscious choice of subjects are provided, the ratio of students per teacher will be lower, more extra-curricular activities will be available, and students will experience a higher degree of satisfaction from the educational process.
