Personalized learning and individualized instruction are now recognized as crucial elements of student-centric teaching that fosters real progress and achievement. This is a significant departure from the way classrooms have been structured in the past as a ‘one size fits all’ environment with all students generally receiving information at the same time and same way as their peers, regardless of their prior knowledge or academic strengths and weaknesses.
Individualized instruction is bringing personalized learning to the classroom by tailoring teaching to each student based on his or her interests and capabilities. This would be a Herculean task for any one teacher, especially at a time when class sizes and demands are growing, but fortunately, data-driven adaptive learning technology is making it possible. Still, some aren’t sold on the idea of individualized instruction – after all, is it really worth spending the time and energy completely revamping the American education system? Like any innovation, adaptive learning may take some getting used to. But when the pros outweigh the cons, it’s well worth it.