Inevitable: Mass Customized Learning in the Age of Empowerment

Mass customization is the capacity to routinely customize products and services to meet specific needs of individuals without adding significant cost. What if education could provide service and content like Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Wikipedia. Students can store material they specifically need and quickly find what they are looking for. The system can suggest things they might find interesting based on what they have done and track detailed progress. Teachers and mentors could be available in a timely manner, and learning would be available anytime anywhere. There is much educators can learn from this cross-industry approach. (Dr. Doug: If I want to learn something I use these resources. I wouldn’t think of going to a school.)

A strategic plan needs to be learner-centered, future focused, and based on the best research regarding students and learning. We need to start from scratch rather than trying to catch up with the best version of being obsolete. As you design preparation for successful learning, ask what students will need to know to deal with personal, learning, relationship, economic, civic, global living, and cultural issues. See where your plans fit with state standards rather than ignoring them. You should also address the idea of preparing students for more school.

Today’s students were born into a world filled with interactive technology. Learning new technology is more natural for them. They will expect more freedom and choice. They expect to get information fast and for interactions to be entertaining. They expect things to change. Many of today’s school norms are at odds with the nature of today’s learners. We need to ask what learners are ready for and meet them at their own level. We need to help them find their passion, use content of interest, and allow them to learn using their own style. In order to produce self-directed, life-long learners, we must be intentional about such attitudes and habits. This chapter also contains a description of what a student’s day could be like in a mass customized school.

Research is clear that people learn in different ways and rates. There are also many ways to be intelligent. Intrinsic motivation spikes with student interest and choice, which can be enhanced with real-world context. Mistakes are inherent, offer chances for learning, and should not be punished. Prior knowledge must be assessed and built on. We need to create lessons that engage thinking and problem solving as knowledge today is easy to find. Students will behave differently if they know teachers care about them. Online learning can be a big help (maybe half of the time) when it comes to Mass Customized Learning. It is also easy to extend beyond the school day and year. Traditions, convenience, and habits get in the way using research to overhaul education.