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One vision, many paths

Personalized learning blends teacher interests with a collective purpose

By Paul Emerich France
Categories: Implementation, Learning designs, Personalization
August 2019
Vol. 40 No. 4
Educators deserve professional learning tailored to their needs, but far too many models for personalization are built on a faulty foundation of myths. Those myths include the assumption that personalization necessitates large investments in technology and the erroneous belief that it must look different for every educator. These myths make the workload of personalization unsustainable and create divides between teachers instead of the collaboration educators really need. It is important to challenge these myths and develop approaches that honor both the individual and collective. When we do so, we become liberated by balance and have the opportunity to make professional learning meaningful and relevant. Personalization Myths People often confuse personalization with individualization. They assume that the more distinct and separate learning is for each individual,

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Authors

Paul Emerich France

Paul Emerich France (paul.emerich.france@gmail.com) is an author, presenter, and National Board Certified Teacher at Latin School of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

References

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France, P. (2019). Reclaiming personalized learning: A pedagogy for restoring equity and humanity to our schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE/Corwin Press.

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Pink, D. (2011). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. New York, NY: Riverhead Books.

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Categories: Implementation, Learning designs, Personalization

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