Individualized instruction tries to “provide a one-on-one student-teacher or student-computer relationship” (429). The University of Pittsburgh developed the Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI) project. The teachers assessed the students, and then developed an individual plan for each student. Objectives were stated in behavioral terms, and the teachers gave students individualized learning while continuing to evaluate their progress. A school in Hawaii has found their own way of success in the classroom. Although the other schools in the nation have similar goals and objectives, Hawaii Technical Academy does things in a different way.
Hawaii Technical Academy uses one-on-one tutoring to improve the students’ success. The school blends face-to-face teaching with online learning. The performance of the students is reviewed each week, and they use a standardized online curriculum. The teachers say that “success depends on two factors: an engaged parent and a motivated child.” The school offers education to students from all over the island who are seeking individualized approach. Hawaii Technical Academy realizes the importance of assessments, and they strive for academic success, but they also understand the significance of flexibility in the methods of education.
I can see the benefits of individualized instruction. If there was a way for each child to be assessed individually, and then given a specific plan for how to improve their progress in specific levels, I think the academic success would soar. Every student has special talents given by God and they need a little nurturing to expand those. With one-on-one learning, students are able to grow in their “lower levels”, and see their own progress in the week by week assessments.
Another instructional approach is distance education. Distance education refers to different uses of technologies. Some schools use cable or satellite television to expand the instruction from the limited resources offered in the classroom. Other schools use teleconferences to watch a resource person or teacher instructing other students. The students can watch the explanation as if they were right there in the room, and they have the ability to freely ask questions. They also have the opportunity to make decisions about other information that should be presented. Distance education is not just for the isolated or small schools, but it is also used to expand the students’ learning. Lifelong learning comes with completing a distance education program because knowledge of technology is important as it continues to grow.
The Hawaii Technical Academy not only uses one-on-one instruction, but they also use distance education. The Academy enrolls students from many areas of the island who need a more flexible schedule. The students come from regular public schools, military families, home-school, private schools, and charter schools. There are some face-to-face interactions, but the school works to improve students’ individual strengths and weaknesses from work done mostly at home. A 7th grade student said, “You can work at your own pace. If you get it down in most schools, you have to wait for everyone else. This one, you learn it once and you go ahead and go on to the next thing.” In this case, distance education is used because it is more flexible, and because the school does not have enough room in its building to house all the students all the time.
I have done distance education twice in the last year and both times have been positive experiences. I do think the flexibility is nice. For people who have more than one job but still want an education, distance education might be their only way of getting one. As technology continues to advance, distance education is almost just like being in the classroom with video conferences and group discussions posted online. If God has allowed for these changes to be made and technology to grow, I think it is important to take advantage of that. We must learn to honor God in all our work through honesty and integrity. Education can be obtained in a variety of ways, the important thing for people is to find what God is calling them to do, and then do it.
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