Conference Recap: 2017 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference

MVLRI staff attended the 2017 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference, hosted by The Highlander Institute, The Christensen Institute and The Learning Accelerator. Over the course of two days, attendees and presenters connected on a number of different topics in the realm of blended and personalized learning, including curriculum design, systems-wide change, professional development, and equity and inclusion. Presented below are one-sentence takeaways from each of the sessions that MVLRI staff participated in, as well as a list of all of the presenters and facilitators involved. Thank you to everyone who helped make the conference a valuable opportunity to learn and network.

• It is crucial to allow individuals and programs to “walk” before they can “run.”

• Leaders should focus on implementing common-sense policy and strive to unify conversations when implementing change.

• Second-order change, or change that is irreversible, is largely dependent on culture.

• Effective professional development involves defining competencies, reflecting and assessing on strengths and gaps, offering personalized supports, and aligning systems and processes to expectations.

• Two challenges posed in research of personalized and blended learning: definitions and variables.

• You don’t have to be a “capital R Researcher” to do impactful research.

• This event is not a technology conference, but an “instructional models conference.”

• Developing partnerships with higher ed institutions, nearby schools and districts, philanthropic organizations, and local businesses can be key to building a personalized learning initiative.

• Personalization of instruction should enable the growth of cultural identities and voices with the goal of achieving equity.

Shawn Rubin, The Highlander Institute - @ShawnCRubinS. Dallas Dance, Baltimore County Public Schools - @DDance_BCPSJames Murray, Waukesha STEM Academy - @edUcation_frwdLeeAndra Khan, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School - @leeandrakhanKen Wagner, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education - @RIDeptEdSally Schultz, Knox Middle School - @Ms_SallySchultzJuliana Finegan, The Learning Accelerator - @JulianaFineganRafael Gallardo, Puget Sound Educational Service District - @blendlearntechEthan Scherer, Harvard University Center for Education Policy Research - @HarvardCEPRTricia Maas, Center on Reinventing Public Education - @triciamaasHeather Staker, Ready to Blend - @hstakerMichele Williams-George, University of California, Davis Julia Freeland Fisher, The Clayton Christensen Institute - @juliaffreelandAshley Bryan Flores, Dallas Independent School District - @ashbryanfloresKristen Watkins, Dallas Independent School District - @k10watkinsLucas Orwig, Nellie Mae Education Foundation - @blackcappedBritt Neuhaus, Overdeck Family Foundation - @brittchyMike Baur, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation - @mbaurCaroline Hill, DC Equity Lab - @CarolineIHillMichelle Molitor, Fellowship for Race & Equity in Education - @MichelleMolitor