Personalized Learning in a PLC at Work TM: Student Agency Through the Four Critical Questions (Develop Innovative PLC- and RTI-Based Personalized Learning Programs)

by Timothy S. Stuart, Sascha Heckmann, Mike Mattos, Austin Buffum

Overview

Highly effective learning-progressive schools share two common elements: they operate as high-functioning professional learning communities (PLCs) with well-implemented RTI structures, and they promote student agency in the learning process. Rely on this resource to help you build a highly effective school where students are engaged in personalized learning experiences and empowered to take ownership of the four critical questions of the PLC at Work™ process.

Use this book to create student-centered learning pathways that drive authentic learning and achievement:

• Discover how to use the four critical questions of a PLC to form pathways and progressions for personalized learning in the classroom.
• Begin the inquiry process through the use of personal reflections provided at the conclusion of each chapter.
• Understand how the school system has changed over the years and why it is important to address these changes.
• Explore innovative teaching methods and curriculum-development strategies for achieving different learning outcomes.
• Learn how schools all over the world have successfully implemented personalized and self-directed learning.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Changing Educational Paradigm
Chapter 2: Student Agency for Personalized Learning
Chapter 3: Systems of Collaboration and Support for Personalized Learning
Chapter 4: Teacher-Led Instruction and Release of Responsibility for Essential Disciplinary Learning Outcomes
Chapter 5: Co-Constructed Learning for Transdisciplinary Learning Outcomes
Chapter 6: Personalized Learning Outcomes
Chapter 7: From Theory to Practice in Elementary Schools
Chapter 8: From Theory to Practice in Middle Schools
Chapter 9: From Theory to Practice in High Schools
Chapter 10: The Change Process and Strategic Planning
References and Resources

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942496595
Publisher:	Solution Tree Press
Publication date:	04/27/2018
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

About the Authors xi

Introduction 1

About This Book 3

Inquiry and Reflection 4

Part 1 Making the Case for Change 7

1 A Changing Educational Paradigm 9

Preparation for the Past 10

The Workplace of the Future 11

Future-Ready Learning 12

The Global, Progressive Education Landscape 14

The Road to Becoming Highly Effective and Learning Progressive 21

2 Student Agency for Personalized Learning 25

Personalized Learning 26

Personalized Learning and the Real World 28

Teacher as Learning Coach 29

The Learning Process: A Cycle of Inquiry 30

The PLC Process 31

The PLC Learning Process Through the Four Critical Questions 33

Learning as the Constant 34

3 Systems of Collaboration and Support for Personalized Learning 39

Aligning PLC Practices to Progressive Learning Outcomes 40

Designing Collaborative Structures for Progressive Learning Outcomes 42

Implementing Response to Intervention 45

Gradually Releasing Responsibility 47

Future-Proofing Students 51

Part 2 Adapting the Four Critical Questions 55

4 Teacher-Led Instruction and Release of Responsibility for Essential Disciplinary Learning Outcomes 57

Essential Disciplinary Learning Outcomes 58

Teacher Collaboration Focused on the Mastery of Essential Disciplinary Learning Outcomes 59

RTI and the Mastery of Essential Disciplinary Learning Outcomes 61

Four Ways to Challenge Students While Providing Student Agency 64

5 Co-Constructed Learning for Transdisciplinary Learning Outcomes 69

Two Components of Transdisciplinary Learning Outcomes 70

Role of the Teacher in Ensuring Mastery 71

Collaborative Teams in a Co-Constructed Learning Environment 72

Student Agency in a Co-Constructed Learning Approach 75

Autonomy Versus Support 83

6 Personalized Learning 87

Learning Hubs 88

Personalized Pathways 89

Personalized Progressions 91

Role of the Teacher in a Personalized Learning Approach 92

Collaborative Teams in a Personalized Learning Approach 93

Student Agency in a Personalized Learning Approach 95

Ownership of the Four Critical Questions 100

Parents and Personalized Learning 101

Part 3 Putting Theory Into Practice 105

7 From Theory to Practice in Elementary Schools 107

Stonefields School 107

Singapore American School Elementary Spanish Program 112

SAS Early Learning Center 116

8 From Theory to Practice in Middle Schools 125

I-LEARN Communities at Academia Cotopaxi 125

Futures Academy at the International School of Beijing 132

Hobsonville Point School 138

9 From Theory to Practice in High Schools 145

NuVu Studio 145

Quest Program at Singapore American School 150

Project X at the International Community School of Addis Ababa 155

Senior Catalyst Program at Singapore American School 160

Part 4 Committing to Change 167

10 The Change Process and Strategic Planning 169

Change Leadership 169

The Research and Development Process 171

The Strategic Plan 175

Epilogue 183

References and Resources 185

Index 191

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This thought-provoking book challenges us to reconcile the tension between the personalization that students need and the consistency that collaborative teams require. The authors offer a framework for educators and leaders who want to take the next step with their PLCs."

—Douglas Reeves, founder, Creative Leadership Solutions

"Deep, meaningful learning is the aim of every school. This book provides the logic, structure, and methodology to bring the best out of teachers and students to allow them to become partners in that journey. This book gives us a glimpse into the school of the future—the school we all want for our own children."

—Anthony Muhammad, author and educational consultant

"Unique and timely. This systematic approach to releasing responsibility of learning to the student is PLC at its highest level."

—Heather Silvia, principal, Donlin Drive Elementary School, New York

"A very powerful model and concept that clearly articulates the need to harness PLC and RTI for personalized learning."

—Stacy Winslow, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and assessment, Derry Township School District, Pennsylvania