ERIC Number: EJ1241727
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2374-1473
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Cultivating a Blended Community of Practice to Promote Personalized Learning
Azukas, M. Elizabeth
Journal of Online Learning Research, v5 n3 p275-309 2019
The purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to examine the effectiveness of a blended learning community of practice model in providing professional development to improve K-12 teacher's self-efficacy in the implementation of personalized learning. Eighteen teachers participated in a nine-month professional development program focused on personalized learning. Participants took pre and post self-efficacy tests based on nine personalized learning constructs. Qualitative data was collected from feedback surveys, online postings, and individual interviews. Teachers demonstrated greater levels of self-efficacy with regard to the implementation of personalized learning after their participation in the professional development community. They reported increased confidence with regard to personalized learning in the areas of planning, risk-taking, implementation, continuous improvement, and sharing their knowledge with others. Teachers developed additional competencies such as an increased knowledge of their students and skills related to technology, design, problem-solving, and facilitation. Teachers developed new dispositions such as flexibility and open-mindedness. Teachers found that elements of personalized learning could be implemented without technology, but recommended the integration of technology to effectively implement personalized learning across all nine constructs. The online components of the blended design, enhanced the teachers' sense of community and helped to facilitate collaborative, interdisciplinary work.
Descriptors: Individualized Instruction, Blended Learning, Communities of Practice, Faculty Development, Self Efficacy, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Curriculum Implementation, Teacher Competencies, Public Schools, Program Effectiveness
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 719, Waynesville, NC 28786. Tel: 828-246-9558; Fax: 828-246-9557; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: https://www.aace.org/pubs/jolr/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Jersey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A