Personalizing Your Toolkit

We all have that toolkit we rely on for our favorite teaching strategies. It's full of the things we have tried and loved, whether we found them on Pinterest, in the curriculum, or lying forgotten in the copy room. The bright and shiny rarely make it into our toolkits... these are the hard-won strategies that work every time.

As you begin to bring personalized learning to your students, there can be a lot of anxiety over losing your favorite tools. Don't fear. Personalized learning does NOT mean throwing out the strategies and activities you love that have worked for years. The tools in your toolkit are still just as valuable!

Instead, personalized learning is like opening your toolkit in front of the class, spreading out the tools, and giving everyone access. They'll get to choose the tools that work best for them to meet their learning goals. You'll be there to guide them.

But how?

First, make sure you read this post with five simple steps to get started. Make sure your students complete Personal Learning Profiles (grab this one for free on TPT!). 

Next, create your Classroom Learning Snapshot (grab the free template). Take some time to peruse your students' Personal Learning Profiles. Choose four diverse learners to use as compass points. List the strengths and interests as well as the challenges for those learners. Make sure to "consider how the four learners you chose prefer or need to access information, engage with content, and express what they know or understand" (Bray & McClaskey, p. 66). Those preferences and needs will guide you in the learning strategies you offer your students.

Now it's time to create your Class Learning Toolkit. Here is where you will think about what will help each of those learners best. Since you picked four very different students, your options will vary greatly. Some will need hands-on materials and partners. Another may want paper and pencil practice and a textbook. Still more might learn best with apps and online content while working alone.  Having a variety of options in your toolkit before you begin will help ease anxiety with handing over control to the students.

I know, I know…. This seems like A LOT!

Let me help you get started. Let's take a look at some different instructional methods that you probably already know and love. These are already in your toolkit! 

• For kids who want/need to work in groups:

• Cooperative learning team strategies (round table, round table write, talking chips, etc.)

• Online collaboration tools like Google Drive

• For kids who want/need to work with a partner:

• Cooperative learning partner strategies (rally robin, rally coach, etc).

• Online collaboration tools like Google Drive

• For kids who want/need teacher support:

• Direct instruction

• Worked examples delivered virtually (Screencastify, Loom)

• Flipped instruction (Screencastify, Loom)

• Interactive video (Edpuzzle)

• Small group or 1 on 1 tutoring

• Interactive presentations (Nearpod)

• For kids who want/need technology supported learning:

• Any approved apps, games, websites or online content that matches your learning goals

• Online text (RAZ Plus, online libraries, EPIC, Storyline Online)

• Audio features for online text

• Video recording apps and websites (Flipgrid)

• Digital file storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)

• Online collaboration tools (Google Drive)

• For kids who want/need to manipulate their environment:

• Manipulatives (base ten blocks, connecting cubes, rekenreks, etc)

• Coloring, drawing, sketching

• Building, designing (Legos, Magnatiles, blocks, etc.)

• Cutting, pasting, folding

• For kids who want/need to work on their own:

• Traditional books and textbooks, online or tangible

• Worksheets or workbooks with repeated practice sets

• Online practice via any of your preferred apps, websites or software

Those are just a few examples of the many options you already have in your toolkit. No doubt yours are somewhat different from mine based on your own experience and expertise. 

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Now that you have created a Class Learning Toolkit, it's time to BE BOLD! Now is when the students get really excited! It's time to turn the tables. Talk to your students, and let them know they are going to be choosing their learning activities. Scaffold their decision making as necessary. Remember, it's okay for them to make a poor choice. It's a great learning opportunity!

I used this simple Personalized Learning Planner to help my learners organize their thinking. Spend some time planning together, then take a day or two to gather materials and resources they request. When it's time to begin, sit back and watch the fun! 

One final item on your to-do list is to save time for reflection. Make sure students are thinking about the quality and quantity of their learning, rather than just the enjoyment. This can lead them to make adjustments as necessary.

I wish you great luck! Comment below to let us know how this worked in your classroom!

Resource:

Bray, B & McClaskey, K. (2015). Make Learning Personal: The What, Who, WOW, Where, and Why. Corwin.