Designing a Blended and Personalized Learning Classroom

Transforming a traditional classroom into a blended or personalized learning environment might seem like an overwhelming task.  The starting process alone of purchasing devices, deciding on wifi carriers, and internet security can sometimes delay the start of any new shift in pedagogy.  However, once a school decides to move forward with blended or personalized learning a yearly game plan becomes a necessity towards making the movement happen within a classroom. 
​Over the last eight years, the DSD Professional Development Team, has helped with the deployment of blended and personalized learning environments.  Below are just a few tricks that will continue to push your school district, building, or even classroom forward. 

Think Big but Start Small

Generating a blended and personalized learning environment usually takes an average of about three to four years if the right professional development and coaching is a part of the plan.  For example, stating to the teachers that every classroom will be transformed to a blended or personalized learning is thinking big.  The three year mini goals to get to the blended or personalized learning set up is part of the starting small.  Below is a typical three year roll out plan that we have used with the different school districts. ​

The Six Levels of Blended and Personalized Learning

In order to insure success with the blended and personalized learning program, the DSD Professional Development Team has developed the six levels of teacher progression.  Each level contains ten areas to look for while in the classroom or during the coaching session.  By breaking down the levels into ten areas, the teacher now has the freedom to focus in on mini aspects of the big picture.  The sample below showcases the six different levels with assessment and data.

Tracking and Goal Setting

After the ten areas have been identified and explained to the teacher(s), the instructional coach will help to define goals for each individual teacher.  The goals will focus in on the targeted areas that will help the teacher to keep progressing through the different levels.  The coach will not only support the teacher through the process of deploying blended and personalized learning but will also track the different levels of implementation.  The scores for each level are listed below.  The circle graph to the right showcases the current level of the 203 teachers that we are currently working at DSD Professional Development. 

Coaching Software System

A software tracking system has become a major key factor in helping our teachers progress through the six levels of blended and personalized learning program.  As part of the blended and personalized roll out plan the coaches, principals, and classroom teachers can input data points and notes into the tracking system.  The tracking system will measure the different rubric points, provide possible goal setting strategies, and email out next steps to the teacher and principals.  The tracking system will also keep track of the number of contact hours with the each teacher and their current level score.  All of this data can be used to generate goals, workshop topics, and evaluation of the success of the blended and personalized learning rollout.  

Start Planning Now for the Future

“What is not started today, is never finished tomorrow.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe  
​There is not time like today to start thinking about transforming the classrooms of tomorrow.  The DSD Professional Development team has a lot of upcoming opportunities to learn more about how to roll out the six levels of blended and personalized learning.  We hope you will be able to join us as we continue to change one classroom at a time.

Wild Side of 
Blended and Personalized Learning 
Conference
June 13 and 14 at the 
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 
Powell, Ohio