The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers invited to take online survey

We live in a time when many people envision an education system that will embody increased flexibility (curricular and otherwise), innovation (technologies and pedagogy) and more individualized and self-directed approaches to student learning. The globalized world is one where many forces (for example, emerging technologies and the transnational flow of ideas, people and culture) are ­dramatically altering the educational landscape.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association has always advocated for the conditions necessary to create teaching and learning environments in which all children are educated well. To this end, the Association, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Alberta, is studying the ­experiences of Alberta teachers who work in any of the following settings:

1. Face-to-face teaching environments where digital technologies are a component of students’ learning experiences
2. Primarily digitally mediated learning environments, such as online learning, e-learning and/or distributed learning
3. Outreach schools or distance education

The study will ask teachers how they use digital technologies to personalize learning through flexible timing and pacing of instruction, and how this affects student learning and conditions of professional practice.

Teachers are invited to complete the online survey at www.flexteaching.ca. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and closes December 21, 2010.

Backgrounder

The concept of personalized learning to describe a setting in which various learning environments and technology platforms for learning are used to achieve flexible timing and pacing of instruction is described in Inspiring Action on Education (2010), Alberta Education’s vision for policy directions, legislative change and transformational shifts for education in the province:

Learning in the 21st century requires relevant and empowering experiences for all young Albertans. There is a need to broaden what students learn, when they learn, where they learn, how they learn, and the rate at which they progress in achieving learning outcomes. Personalized learning involves the provision of high-quality and engaging learning opportunities that meet students’ diverse learning needs, through flexible timing and pacing, in a range of learning environments with learning supports and services tailored to meet their needs (Alberta Education 2010, 14).
—Inspiring Action on Education. 2010. Government of Alberta. http://engage.education.alberta.ca/inspiring-action

Inspiring Action envisions how technology can create a learning environment that exhibits the ­following characteristics:

• Students and educators have access to a comprehensive technology platform for learning when and where they need it.
• Students take greater control of their own learning by using technology to personalize their learning experiences, explore their own directions and use tools that match their learning styles.
• Administrators create dynamic, digital learning cultures that maximize the use of media-rich resources to create relevant and engaging learning experiences.
• Schools connect with parents in their homes and workplaces, and reach out to the global community in ways never ­before imagined (Alberta Education 2010, 23).

For more information about the study, contact Philip McRae at the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Telephone: 780-447-9469 (Edmonton and area); toll free in Alberta at 1-800-232-7208; e-mail: philip.mcrae@ata.ab.ca.