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Reclaiming Personalized Learning: A Pedagogy for Restoring Equity and Humanity in Our Classrooms
Where exactly did personalized learning go so wrong?
For teacher and consultant Paul France, at first technology-powered personalized learning seemed like a panacea. But after three years spent at a personalized learning start-up and network of microschools, he soon realized that such corporate-driven individualized learning initiatives do more harm than good, especially among our most vulnerable students. The far-superior alternative? A human-centered pedagogy that prioritizes children over technology.
First, let’s be Reclaiming Personalized Learning is not yet-another ed tech book. Instead it’s a user’s guide to restoring equity and humanity to our classrooms and schools through personalization. One part polemical, eleven parts practical, the book describes how The truth is there’s no one framework, there’s no one tool that makes learning personalized–what personalized learning companies with a vested interest in profits might tempt you to believe. It’s people who personalize learning, and people not technology must be at the center of education. The time is now for all of us teachers to reclaim personalized learning, and this all-important book is our very best resource for getting started.
"This is a compelling and critically important book for our time. With rich stories of teaching and learning Paul France considers ways to create the most positive learning experiences possible." - JO BOALER, Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education, Stanford Graduate School of Education "This brilliant book is a major contribution to the re-imagination of learning and teaching for the twenty-first century and should be essential reading for new and experienced teachers alike." - TONY WAGNER, Senior Research Fellow, Learning Policy Institute "In these troubled times, this book is more than a breath of fresh air, it is a call to action. Paul gives us an accessible and sophisticated book that explains how and why we should celebrate the humanity of every single student." - JIM KNIGHT, Senior Partner of the Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and Author of The Impact Cycle
For teacher and consultant Paul France, at first technology-powered personalized learning seemed like a panacea. But after three years spent at a personalized learning start-up and network of microschools, he soon realized that such corporate-driven individualized learning initiatives do more harm than good, especially among our most vulnerable students. The far-superior alternative? A human-centered pedagogy that prioritizes children over technology.
First, let’s be Reclaiming Personalized Learning is not yet-another ed tech book. Instead it’s a user’s guide to restoring equity and humanity to our classrooms and schools through personalization. One part polemical, eleven parts practical, the book describes how The truth is there’s no one framework, there’s no one tool that makes learning personalized–what personalized learning companies with a vested interest in profits might tempt you to believe. It’s people who personalize learning, and people not technology must be at the center of education. The time is now for all of us teachers to reclaim personalized learning, and this all-important book is our very best resource for getting started.
"This is a compelling and critically important book for our time. With rich stories of teaching and learning Paul France considers ways to create the most positive learning experiences possible." - JO BOALER, Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education, Stanford Graduate School of Education "This brilliant book is a major contribution to the re-imagination of learning and teaching for the twenty-first century and should be essential reading for new and experienced teachers alike." - TONY WAGNER, Senior Research Fellow, Learning Policy Institute "In these troubled times, this book is more than a breath of fresh air, it is a call to action. Paul gives us an accessible and sophisticated book that explains how and why we should celebrate the humanity of every single student." - JIM KNIGHT, Senior Partner of the Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and Author of The Impact Cycle
344 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 16, 2021
There is a lot here that is useful and it is written in an approachable and authentic voice. France is an educator writing for educators because he cares about the world and the kids we are teaching in it. His stories and ideas do not feel like a pitch or something he is trying to sell.
In short, he is saying that we need to put students first if we want true personal learning. The book does feel like it is talking to a primarily American experience, but there are elements that can relate to the international school ethos as well.
I am not sure that France is saying much that most seasoned teachers do not already know, but he does it in such an earnest way that this book is worth a read.
There are highlighted passages I will use in PD and I look forward to raising the consciousness of my classes this year.
In short, he is saying that we need to put students first if we want true personal learning. The book does feel like it is talking to a primarily American experience, but there are elements that can relate to the international school ethos as well.
I am not sure that France is saying much that most seasoned teachers do not already know, but he does it in such an earnest way that this book is worth a read.
There are highlighted passages I will use in PD and I look forward to raising the consciousness of my classes this year.
August 2, 2020
Great reminders and new perspectives about humanizing learning. I think all educators should read this!
March 24, 2021
This book is easily the best and most important professional reading I've done in several years. There is simply no other message that is more important than France's right now in K-12 education.
France's thesis is simple enough: we need to do more to make our teaching and learning HUMAN again. He then leads you through his thinking. First, he addresses every myth you've ever heard of -- and maybe even believed -- about personalized learning. Then he proposes 3 solid pillars that make learning personalized (he calls these Dimensions). At that point, you're probably thinking, "holy moly, but HOW?" and so France then moves into the pedagogy of what he's proposing. Much of this is not new to most educators. You have heard it before, or maybe you're even doing it already. BUT, you may not have considered it in a context of humanized and personal learning. France's frameworks and personal stories here help situate his suggestions in teaching practice, and are extremely helpful in giving context to the content. Lastly, France grounds all of the pedagogy and the pillars in the notion of equity. Again, he dispels several myths about what equity and inclusion really means, offering many definitions and examples. Reading this in 2021, it's easy to align with other texts given the BLM movement and more. And this is France's call to action: without humanizing learning to make it personal, we will continue to fall short of making the world more equitable and inclusive.
One of the highlights of this book is France's many examples. Some of these take the form of stories -- France has several, many of which are deeply personal, while others are concrete diagrams, documents, or reproducible teaching and planning resources. France's stories mostly come from his experience in elementary or primary school aged classrooms, but are easily transferable to middle school. High School teachers might need to do more "translating" here, as the humans they work with are more complex, abstract, and developed, but they will still find nuggets that transfer. I greatly appreciate the breadth of France's background, and how honest he is about his time working in Silicon Valley and having "drank the kool-aid" so-to-speak. That he brings such experience to his teaching practice is a big part of what makes this book so special. His concrete resource examples too, are also important and useful. I especially love the examples of student work. I found myself wishing that there was an accompanying website that allowed readers to view or download these resources, or maybe even watch video to see it "in action." Perhaps Corwin (the publisher) might consider this in a future edition?
Perhaps some of my favourite parts of the book were those that push back against progressive educators and their misunderstandings of agency, autonomy, and constructivism. I think this is because I've been working in progressive spaces for most of my career, and I have seen every one of these misunderstandings in action, all at the expense of student growth and learning. France's work is incredibly well-researched (the reference list alone is an exciting "to read" list!) and he is firm about what educators need to get right to make learning more personal for students.
If you're a K-12 educator, go read this book, if for no other reason than to convince me to stop talking about it! :)
France's thesis is simple enough: we need to do more to make our teaching and learning HUMAN again. He then leads you through his thinking. First, he addresses every myth you've ever heard of -- and maybe even believed -- about personalized learning. Then he proposes 3 solid pillars that make learning personalized (he calls these Dimensions). At that point, you're probably thinking, "holy moly, but HOW?" and so France then moves into the pedagogy of what he's proposing. Much of this is not new to most educators. You have heard it before, or maybe you're even doing it already. BUT, you may not have considered it in a context of humanized and personal learning. France's frameworks and personal stories here help situate his suggestions in teaching practice, and are extremely helpful in giving context to the content. Lastly, France grounds all of the pedagogy and the pillars in the notion of equity. Again, he dispels several myths about what equity and inclusion really means, offering many definitions and examples. Reading this in 2021, it's easy to align with other texts given the BLM movement and more. And this is France's call to action: without humanizing learning to make it personal, we will continue to fall short of making the world more equitable and inclusive.
One of the highlights of this book is France's many examples. Some of these take the form of stories -- France has several, many of which are deeply personal, while others are concrete diagrams, documents, or reproducible teaching and planning resources. France's stories mostly come from his experience in elementary or primary school aged classrooms, but are easily transferable to middle school. High School teachers might need to do more "translating" here, as the humans they work with are more complex, abstract, and developed, but they will still find nuggets that transfer. I greatly appreciate the breadth of France's background, and how honest he is about his time working in Silicon Valley and having "drank the kool-aid" so-to-speak. That he brings such experience to his teaching practice is a big part of what makes this book so special. His concrete resource examples too, are also important and useful. I especially love the examples of student work. I found myself wishing that there was an accompanying website that allowed readers to view or download these resources, or maybe even watch video to see it "in action." Perhaps Corwin (the publisher) might consider this in a future edition?
Perhaps some of my favourite parts of the book were those that push back against progressive educators and their misunderstandings of agency, autonomy, and constructivism. I think this is because I've been working in progressive spaces for most of my career, and I have seen every one of these misunderstandings in action, all at the expense of student growth and learning. France's work is incredibly well-researched (the reference list alone is an exciting "to read" list!) and he is firm about what educators need to get right to make learning more personal for students.
If you're a K-12 educator, go read this book, if for no other reason than to convince me to stop talking about it! :)
June 5, 2022
I loved this one. France defines personalized learning wonderfully.
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April 25, 2023Read for EDCI 646
May 13, 2023
This is one of the best and most useful education books I have read recently. The strategies shared can be applied to any level.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews