Learning Theory: Personalized Alternative Learning Models

In my undergraduate studies, I remember some classes were very easy for me while other classes were more challenging. When it came to certain complex subjects such as statistics, math, and economics, I didn't fully understand the materials presented right away. Determined to graduate, I signed up math tutoring after class and would attend regularity. However, when I would get stumped on a problem, the tutors would just solve the problem for me without allowing me to develop my own reasoning and learning for the material to repeat the process myself. The answer would suddenly seem clear and obvious until the next problem would present itself. Since I was not guided on how to understand and work out the problem independently, I did not absorb the full learning experience. 

In the 21st century classroom, teachers have tools and some even free to help them reach those struggling students that may have the drive to succeed but just need some extra guidance about how to work out the problem for themselves. Google Suite for Education is a useful tool to help implement the following alternative learning models. 

• Project Based Learning: Examples of this style include having the students create something with an end goal such as a portfolio.  From a learning standpoint, the course or unit has a driving question or process and supplemental learning materials are provided to help ask questions and learn about resources that work out the goal. For example, let's say a student wants to learn about creating mobile apps. Rather than providing them with only lesson plans and quizzes, students can go through the process of developing a mobile app from start to finish. The students will learn from their mistakes as they go through the development process. At the end of the course they learn project management skills, how to learn from failures, how to reach out for expert help, and how to apply the concept to real life. 

• Flipped Classroom Learning: Opposite of a traditional classroom where students learn content in class and then practice at home alone. The flipped concept is when the students learn the content at home (through YouTube Video or other media) and then receive expert support about the content in the classroom. This model aligns with the needs of conferences, boot-camps, and any short term learning where expert time is valuable. Students are able to learn the basics at home and come to the expert table with more advanced questions. 

• Blended Learning: Learning happens with a combination of in person sessions and the use of adaptive media learning tools to help facilitate learning of the content. Benefits of this method is that students can learn at their own pace and gives them the ability to seek out there own resources for personalized learning. Students can learn alone or collaborate with a group. 

Once an appropriate learning theory is selected, the instructor can write a lesson plan and choose the supplemental materials such as videos, media, quizzes, etc.