Reclaiming Personalized Learning: A Pedagogy for Restoring Equity and Humanity in Our Classrooms

Technology has made classrooms less personal, but educators can make learning personal by supporting student agency, self-awareness, and authentic learning experiences. Paul France's book provides practical guidance on designing inclusive learning environments, sustainable applications for humanized personalization, and real-life stories from the author's experience. Teachers understand the need for humanizing education and this book provides a place to start.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: SAGE Publications Inc

The paradox of technology-driven individualization in classrooms is a complex issue that requires a nuanced approach. While technology has the potential to tailor learning experiences to individual students' needs and preferences, it can also lead to a sense of detachment and isolation in the classroom. One solution to this paradox is to prioritize the role of educators in making learning personal. By supporting student agency, self-awareness, and authentic learning experiences, educators can create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment that fosters personal growth and development.

In his book, "Humanized Personalization: Rejecting the Corporate Mindset and Fostering Equity and Inclusion in Education," Paul France offers practical guidance on designing inclusive learning environments for diverse groups. He emphasizes the importance of sustainable applications of humanized personalization in curriculum design, assessment, and instruction. France draws on his extensive experience as a National Board Certified Teacher, education consultant, and education technology developer to share real-life stories from both sides of the personalization debate. The book also includes a multitude of classroom tools that can be adapted to a variety of instructional contexts, making it a valuable resource for educators looking to humanize personalized learning and their classrooms.

One of the key insights in the book is that nobody understands the need for humanizing education better than teachers. Teachers have firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities that come with personalized learning technologies. They know that inundating students with personalized learning tools is not the way to go, but they also recognize the importance of tailoring learning experiences to individual students' needs. The book provides practical guidance on how educators can personalize learning without relying solely on technology. It encourages educators to use a variety of instructional strategies, such as small group instruction, project-based learning, and personalized feedback, to create a learning environment that is tailored to the individual needs of each student.

Another important aspect of humanized personalization is the emphasis on student agency and self-awareness. By empowering students to take ownership of their learning, educators can create a more engaging and meaningful learning experience. The book provides strategies for helping students develop these skills, such as encouraging self-reflection, providing opportunities for student voice, and promoting student-led inquiry.

In addition to practical guidance, the book also includes a wealth of real-life stories from educators who have successfully implemented humanized personalization in their classrooms. These stories provide valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of personalized learning and offer practical tips for educators looking to implement similar strategies in their own classrooms.

Overall, "Humanized Personalization: Rejecting the Corporate Mindset and Fostering Equity and Inclusion in Education" is a valuable resource for educators looking to humanize personalized learning and create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment for their students. By prioritizing the role of educators, supporting student agency, self-awareness, and authentic learning experiences, and providing practical guidance on designing inclusive learning environments, the book offers a roadmap for educators looking to create a more humanized and personalized learning experience for their students.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 254 x 177 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781071875919
Edition number: 2 Revised edition