Move with the Stream

Mass-customized learning is great for motivated students. They're able to plan their own course of action. They can study the topics of their choosing. Hopefully this will lead to more student interest. The idea that a person sets their own path is a great idea. But I don’t think that students are able to do this. They still need guidance. Now I realize that using personal learning plans would still have required subject areas. But I think that students need more than that. How do they know which classes they want to take without some background information? I do not think that student will carry this over with them from middle school. Today a student asked if I would assign the third book in a series so that he could read it. (We’ve read the first two in class.) I told him he could find the book at the library. He told me that if he didn’t have a reading assignment he wouldn’t get it done. Sure, he’s motivated. But by the wrong things. He wants to read the book. Not motivated to do it. He’s motivated by my requirements/grade. He would not do well with mass customized learning because he does not have the proper motivation. Personalized learning plans also assume that students will have interests in all subject areas. Most students are only motivated to work hard in one or two classes—because they genuinely like them. I think it’s a mistake to discount the benefits of moving with the stream. I feel like most students in public school are “moving with the stream.” They are only swimming when they’re interested. Teachers are needed to keep the current moving. This is harder to accomplish in a mass customized school environment. I think the superintendent must look to the students and their level of achievement. What are the goals of families and their students in the district? There must be a strong desire for personalized learning plans in the community for them to work. This cannot solely be driven by the superintendent or school.