Personalized Learning: A Wicked Problem Solved?

Personalized Learning is a wicked problem. That is, it is a problem so complex that it is nearly unsolvable. Personalized Learning, the educational philosophy wherein student learn and proceed through their content at their own pace according to their own interests and needs, is just one of these problems. My team and I, organized through our MAET program, tackled this wicked problem, both analyzing its complexity and asking questions that might reveal “what if” solutions to “solve” the educational quagmire.

To better understand the complexity of Personalized Learning, I created this infographic explaining what it is and what factors make it wicked.

While there are numerous complexities identified by the team, we developed four possible “solutions” to Personalized Learning.

1. Schools should develop flexible learning spaces to replace the traditional layout of frontward-facing
2. Schools should adopt an LMS in a tablet or computer 1:1 program
3. Schools should shift to project-based/inquiry-based learning oriented around competency
4. Schools should allow students to advance through content (AND COURSES!) at their own pace, regardless of what time of year it is.

Integral to this solution is TPACK— the intersection between Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Practice, and Technology. This intersection is the only way in which a wicked educational problem can be solved.

In this case, solutions 1 and 4 are primarily pedagogical. Developing working spaces for student learning and structurally allowing students to advance at their own pace is central to the solution. Solution 3 is mostly content based. Teachers need to know their own field well enough to develop engaging and rigorous projects in partnership with their students. Finally, solution 2 is technology based. A 1:1 environment with an LMS would facilitate the rest! Without an LMS in a 1:1 setting, teachers would quickly become overwhelmed with all of the different pacing, work-flow issues, research accessibility, etc.

For more concerning our research, check out this video we created talking about our proposed “solutions” to the wicked problem of Personalized Learning.