Train Your People

In order to successfully scale blended and personalized learning, we need to build the capacity of those doing this critical work. Leaders and educators are the most effective agents for pushing blended and personalized learning at scale. In order to support them in this work, we need to be strategic with not only our approach to training but our approach to professional learning as a whole.

Here are four main components needed to “train your people” in a rigorous, personalized, and authentic fashion:

Multi-colored arrow pointing to the right. At the far left reads Define Competencies, followed by Reflect and Assess, then Offer Personalized Supports, and, finally, Align Systems at the front end of the arrow.

Define Competencies

What your educators need to be successful

Reflect & Assess

What are strengths and gaps?

Offer Personalized Supports

Aligned to learner need and choice

Human capital processes and structures

Define Competencies

Before you decide on an approach to supporting your educators, you need to identify and define critical competencies by asking yourself:

What do my educators need to be successful within our model?
What does mastery of each competency look like in action?

Remember: each model, district, school, and community is different. The more honest you are with identifying the competencies that will lead to success and are vital to YOUR approach, the more aligned your professional learning will be to actual student outcomes!

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Clear Filters

0 strategy

0 strategies

Young student sits at desk with another student, looking at laptops, smiling

Garnet Valley School District

Student-Centered OER Course Design Process

Creating competencies to support the creation of curriculum

Several students sit on floor with laptops

Locust Grove Middle School

Henry County Schools’ Shift To Personalized Learning

Moving from ideas to implementation at the district level

Screenshot of PLP Pro website that shows several colorful squares mixed in with photos of students learning, quotes, and PLP Pro website options

Example: Summit Public Schools PLP Pro

Personalized Learning Plan for Professionals/Educators

Guide: TNTP's Re-imagining Teaching in a Blended Classroom

A working paper for districts and schools

Example: Thrive Public Schools' Approach to Blended Learning

Blended Learning Rubric and Definition

Teacher stands near students at desks, smiling

Hollister R-V School District

OER Educator Competencies

Common competencies for getting started with Open Educational Resources

Guide: Personalized PD at Dallas ISD

A multi-phase competency-based system with concrete "look-fors"

Two teachers speak, while one gestures while pointing forward

Liberty Public Schools

Building With Standards

Building curriculum by breaking down standards

Circular graphic with several layers. The outermost and largest layer reads Mindsets: New vision for teaching and learning, orientation toward change and improvement. The second layer reads Qualities: Grit, transparency, collaboration. The third, innermost layer, labeled Skills, is split into two halves. The first half reads Adaptive: Reflection, Continuous improvement and innovation, communication. The second half reads Technical: Data Practices, Instructional Strategies, Management of Blended Learning Experience, Instructional Tools.

Advice: Select a Competency Framework

Explore multiple frameworks & competencies to see what matches your model or district

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Chicago Public Schools

Teacher-Selected, Domain-Specific PD Tracks

Differentiated personalized learning professional development sessions