The Michigan State Board of Education has identified as a priority, “Increasing the use of personalized teaching methods, including the integration of technology for K-14 students to improve learning and outcomes.”

​The Personalized Learning Conference will be held at Kent ISD on May 2, 20178. All educators who want to learn more about personalized teaching and learning are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The goal of this conference is to build awareness and understanding of how to personalize teaching and learning for the purpose of increasing student learning outcomes. This includes a focus on implementation through mastery learning and system-alignment.

Conference Highlights

  • Conference Kickoff with Laura Hilger, Teaching and Learning Senior Coach at KnowledgeWorks and Tracy Horodyski, Instructional Coach at Kenowa Hills Public Schools and 2017 Michigan Teacher of the Year 
  • Conference Keynote with Virgel Hammonds​, Chief Learning Officer at KnowledgeWorks
  • Update from Gregg Dionne at MDE on personalized learning in Michigan
  • Over 30 sessions focused on personalized learning
  • An all day maker space facilitated by Kent ISD's STEM Consultants
  • Unique conference schedule that allows for informational, discussion based, and hands-on sessions
  • Registration is only $50 and includes lunch
  • SCECHs are available
  • Additional opportunities for site visits to a schools implementing personalized learning (Kenowa Hills Public Schools and Kent Innovation High)
  • NovaNow PBL Workshop, which will help educators understand and implement project-based learning

​What is Personalized Learning?

Personalized learning occurs when the student has a degree of choice over his or her education in terms of delivery, context, and pacing. Individual outcomes and how proficiency will be demonstrated is collaboratively defined. The student’s interests, experiences, and abilities guide his or her learning, making new information more relevant and meaningful. This approach has the potential to build the student’s capacity and desire to learn beyond the scope of the curriculum and the confines of the classroom.