Personalize Learning (#plearnchat)

Discover the conversations we had in the #plearnchat on Dec 14th with Jim Rickabaugh, Executive Director of the Institute for Personalized Learning, co-moderating the discussion on Learner Agency. This #plearnchat followed a six-part blog series between Personalize Learning, LLC and the Institute for Personalized Learning on Learner Agency. Refer to the links in this graphic to access those blogs that dove deep into learner agency.

We want to thank all the wonderful educators who joined in the conversation in #plearnchat. 

Learner agency often gets missed in conversations on transforming the educational system. We have a sense of ‘agency’ when we feel in control of things that happen around us; when we feel that we can influence events. This is an important sense for learners to develop. Learners must understand:

• when they need new learning and how to learn what they need
• when they need to unlearn what will no longer serve them 
• when they need to relearn what they need to be successful 

- See more at: http://www.personalizelearning.com/2015/09/learner-agency-missing-link.html#sthash.WbCFgqKN.dpuf

Voice gives learners a chance to share their opinions about something they believe in. We adapted the Continuum of Voice chart we used from Students at the Center in our post Learner Voice Demonstrates Commitment to Building Agency. The learning environment changes as you encourage voice and can see learners taking more control of their learning. We call this process the Stages of Personalized Learning Environments (PLE). - See more at: http://www.personalizelearning.com/2016/01/continuum-of-voice-what-it-means-for.html#sthash.kLBn5zQT.dpuf

In this November Issue of Insights on Personalized Learning, the focus is on learners, learning and learner agency. Included in this issue are:

• The CSSR guide, "Ecosystems of Student Driven Learning", developed from their i3 Grant work with schools over the last five years.
• Chris Watkins' Learning: A Sensemaker's Guide that provides a framework on having learners talk about their learning.
• The collaborative blog series on Learner Agency written by Personalize Learning, LLC and The Institute for Personalized Learning.
• Work by Alden S. Blodget on Learning, Schooling and the Brain. 
• A free webinar by The Danielson Group.

Sign up for future issues of Insights to PL and our quarterly newsletter at www.personalizelearning.com

Giving learners voice encourages them to participate in and eventually to own and drive their learning. This means a complete shift from the traditional approach of teaching compliance that develops a “learned helplessness” to encouraging voice where there is authenticity in the learning.