Education is fluid. With the developing technology of the 21st century, new teaching methods and learning techniques are always being introduced.
Central York School District has recently welcomed Mass Customized Learning to the elementary schools in attempt to further younger students’ education.
What is Mass Customized Learning?
“Mass Customized Learning (MCL) is a new and exciting vision for education that uses today’s powerful mass customizing technology to meet the personal learning needs of every learner every hour of every day. MCL is a learning community,” said Julius Matthews, first grade teacher at Roundtown Elementary School.
Much like the learning style at the high school, Mass Customized Learning is more personalized and self-paced.
“From the start, I was interested in the ideas presented and wanted to help make that vision a reality for our little learners at the primary level. My thoughts on MCL first start with deepening the relationships between the teacher and the learner. The real magic that takes place in our district is the bond that forms between teacher and learner,” said Roundtown Elementary School principal, Matt Miller.
“Lessons taught through the MCL lens require teachers to gain insight of how students learn best by taking their learning style into consideration and offering some choice in the way material is presented,” said Miller.
Miller said lessons are moving away from the “teaching for the test” method and are giving students more ability to explore new ideas and connect to the curriculum.
Similarly, Matthews said, “MCL provides in-depth, seminar-type learning opportunities. Some outcomes require hands-on opportunities, so MCL offers labs. Some outcomes are best learned through individual or group projects; others might be best learned by shadowing a professional community member.”
“We teach math lessons with MCL,” said fifth grade teacher, Natasha Weaver. “The lessons are self-paced which allows us [teachers] to meet with small groups of students to target specific skills.”
Teachers have noticed positive effects that Mass Customized Learning has had on the elementary schools.
“[MCL] meets every learner at his/her learning level, provides opportunities that sync with different learning styles and allows the learner to study and learn skills and concepts using content that is relevant and interesting,” said Matthews.
Fifth grade teachers, Natasha Weaver, Kyle Kasabo, Alicia Tresselt and Krista Thompson agree that students are excited to be able to learn at their own pace. More individualized attention is given to students who need it.
However, there are negatives to the addition as well.
Fifth grade teachers agree that some students need more encouragement to stay on task and utilize their time when lessons are self-paced.
“Matthews said, “Unmotivated students and those wishing to utilize the system improperly could find this difference in structure appealing in making poor choices.”
“The only negative effects I have seen are the awkward situations we encounter with certain state and federal mandates that sometimes hold us back,” said Miller.
But what do parents think?
Tammy Shaw, mother of North Hills Elementary School students: Tehya Shaw, 11, Thaddeus Shaw, 9, and soon-to-be Stony Brook Elementary School kindergartener, Taurean Shaw, 4, said she agrees with the addition of Mass Customized Learning.
“MCL has enabled my children to internalize information better because they are able to learn in a way more suited to them individually. Additionally, they utilize technology that makes learning more familiar and less stressful,” said Shaw.
Shaw also said that her children like Mass Customized Learning and that they prefer it over the traditional way of teaching.
“I am excited about how this vision is unfolding in our school district,” said Miller. “I appreciate the opportunity to create the best possible learning environment for our children. I think Mass Customized Learning is a vehicle that can allow us to make positive changes in a system that was built decades ago.”