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Less Physics Mo Problems

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Why am I writing this personal entry? Well, it is not an attempt to gain any sympathy. It attempts to show what is possible if a clear intention and goal serve the learner's needs.  In May of 2022 just near the end of another fantastic school year, I do not remember what happened. But, I was unable to finish the school year and was unable to teach the following year.  Why? On May 21st, 2022, I fell down a flight of 16 stairs (luckily carpeted) from the 2nd to 1st story of our home.  I was found at the bottom of the stairs. I was found foaming at the mouth. This would lead to a 2-month hospital stay which included an induced coma because my seizures would not stop, several rounds of lumbar punctures, and relearning basic physical movements like something as simple as being able to roll in the hospital bed. Simply put, when I was admitted to the hospital, I was diagnosed as being “critically ill.” Please take a moment and read those words: critically ill. They are not terms that are
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Personalized Learning is Visible Learning

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During a discussion on Personalizing Learning lead by Dr. James Rickabaugh, he recommended Visible Learning by John Hattie as good source for the research that went into some of the practice behind the personal learning framework.  I was able to read Visible Learning for Teachers by John Hattie over the weekend and was able to see how the data backed up many of the practices behind the personalized learning framework.  At the heart of it all though is that students take control of their own learning to greater degree.

I attempt to summarize my learning, I created the diagram below.  I want to use it as a guide for design and implementation of learning in my classroom.  I made it in a couple of hours so this is really just a first draft.  Any feedback would be appreciated!






Here's a more dynamic view of the Google Drawing:




What sticks out to me is that the student is identifying gaps, planning how to close those gaps, and monitoring progress towards meeting that goal.

The teacher is communicating outcomes and providing a variety of strategies to students to meet those outcomes.  Also, providing quality and relevant feedback about progress.  Also, the teacher uses assessment not to simply judge student progress, but to adapt the instruction.

As I move through the summer and redesign and improve my course design, I will be using this template to help guide my efforts.

But the data in John Hattie's book tells the story. Looking at the elements that have high effect are central to the personalized learning model.






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