Lainie Jae Rowell Knihy

The concept of personalized professional learning has gained traction over the past decade, moving away from the outdated factory model of one-size-fits-all professional development. A recent blog post highlights that gathering all teachers for a single day of universal strategies is ineffective; instead, each teacher's unique classroom context must be considered, including the subjects they teach, the technology they use, and the specific challenges faced by their students. Technological advancements have enhanced access to individualized professional learning options. However, a central paradox remains: while tailoring professional learning to individual needs is appealing, experts agree that the most impactful experiences occur through collaboration with other teachers. The authors propose that effective professional learning can be categorized into three key areas: (1) Learning from students; (2) Learning from peers; (3) Learning from the world. This approach emphasizes the importance of context and collaboration in fostering meaningful professional growth for educators.