Personalized System of Instruction? That Sounds Like 1:1!

Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) is sometimes called the Keller Plan and that's because it was developed by Fred S. Keller, along with others, in the 1960s. The research shows that when compared to traditional lecture-based methods of instruction, The Keller Plan has an influence on learning that is significantly positive.

As I learn more about this method of instruction, I see its relation to the use of instructional technology, especially as this technology facilitates distance and independent, self-directed learning. Traditional classroom teachers, even those not yet in a 1:1 or technology rich environment, will most likely find they incorporate many, if not all, of the five elements of the Keller Plan.

• In PSI, written texts provide the medium through which new ideas and content should be presented. This is not to say that other media is not to be used (I would be hard pressed to find a teacher who says that the role of digital media is sure to decline), only that there is great instructional value in texts which are in the students possession; i.e., texts that are portable, can be read at a place and pace determined the student, and can be reviewed and annotated by the reader. My school is demonstrating a renewed emphasis on literacy and the use of grade level texts, and as we increase our use of ebooks and ereaders, we are seeing the potential in portable and personal text. This is not to say there are no drawbacks, but we are learning how to use this new technology.
• While the teacher may establish the order in which lessons are done and units of study completed, students proceed through the material at their own speed. Again, this sounds like a 1:1 classroom.
• Students have time to explore the material at their own pace; they are no longer compelled to stay on the same page. This is the promise of education enhanced through technology: personalized instruction.
• The previous bullet point notwithstanding, students must demonstrate mastery of the material before they are allowed to progress to the next unit. Students who are unable to demonstrate mastery are redirected and review unit materials. Being allowed to continue is, to behaviorists, sufficient motivation; classroom teachers, those jaded and otherwise, know that for some students, "being allowed" to move on to the next unit of study is hardly motivational.
• The future classroom teacher will be more of a facilitator of learning rather than the fount of knowledge. They guide students by addressing areas of weakness and modifying learning activities based on constant formative assessment. Teachers will model and reinforce the learning behaviors necessary for success.

I am eager to learn more about PSI through the creation of a learning module. The Audio-Tutorial approach is also suited for asynchronous distance learning, although the required assembly sessions may chafe learners used to the freedom of PSI. Like PSI, A-T students are themselves responsible for their own learning, and upfront planning by the instructor and facilitation through formative feedback lead to greater probability of student success.

Why Public Education?

The purpose of education, in my opinion, is to prepare students, with a love of learning and the training to take future experience and turn that into knowledge. To paraphrase Robert Maynard Hutchins, education “frees a person from the prison-house of class, race, time, place, background, family, and even nation." I also feel education plays a role in the sharing and shaping of local and national culture. Since most children spend a great deal of time being educated, educators have the power of the bully pulpit to promote these desirable personal qualities: love of freedom and respect for responsibility, cooperation and consideration for the common good, defense of the weak, etc. Education is also relevant to the propensity of a populace to function as a society. As Lord Henry Brougham said, "Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave." The truth of this statement brings into question the motives of our elected representatives and others whose actions are detrimental to education.

Photostory 3

Sometimes called PowerPoint on steroids, Photostory 3 is an excellent educational technology tool for students. Created by Microsoft and freely available, this program allows users to take still images, add narration, text, and a variety of effects, transitions, and music to create impressive multimedia presentations. One of the most attractive features is the Ken Burns effect: students can create zooms and pans that highlight selected portions of the image or add artistic expression to their project. Learn more from the Langwitches blog or from the University of Houston.