Flexible Playlists

Basic info in blue section. Scroll down to gray section for more in depth info.

Offers learning from various resources and activities
Can be personalized for students
- If everyone is doing the same playlist at the same time, with the same activities it is NOT really personalized
Can be based on a lesson, unit, theme, concept, entire course, etc.
Completion can vary in duration (ie. day, week, unit, semester)
Allows students to take control over when and how they learn
Offers students choice in instruction while teachers still structure the focus of the learning
Data is used to drive instruction
Frees teacher up for meeting with small groups or 1:1
Best if students set goals for themselves
Include all levels of DOK
Students can work individually or collaboratively
Can be created in a learning management system (ie. Canvas)
Activities can integrate YouTube, Khan Academy, Desmos, textbooks, G Suite, Office 365, blogs, websites, learning management systems, hands-on, labs, etc.
Include ways to give students instant feedback
Include regular check-ins and formative assessments
There will be some hard due dates / completion dates but student work at their own pace

Jason Appel of Barrington HS in Rhode Island asked his students what they thought of using playlists in class. (some of the answers are obviously word for word from the students!)

See the rest of Jason Appel's ISTE presentation by clicking HERE

Explore the following guide called Playlist Building 101. Reflect on your current classroom practices. How does this compare to your current class activities? Think about how you could develop (or improve) a Flexible Playlist for your students.

Playlist Building 101 Guide.pdf

Additional Reading...

Using Playlists to Differentiate Instruction by Jennifer Gonzalez
Using Playlists to Personalize Learning by Michael Putman
Self-Paced Progress through Playlists by The Learning Accelerator
The Must Do May Do List: A Classroom Game Changer by Anna Hulsey

So, you want to work on Flexible Playlists...Now What?

How can some of the things your students already do be integrated into playlists?
How can you incorporate all levels of DOK into your playlists?
How can you include student choice into your playlists?
Where will your playlists be housed?
How will your classroom management strategies evolve when integrating playlists?
What types of assessments will be used to give students immediate feedback?
How will you decide which students to meet with while students are working on playlists?
How will you make sure that the use of technology is purposeful?

Try these Challenges:

Answer the "Now What?" questions above.
Find an example of a playlist online and adapt the style and content to fit something you teach. Tool used to create your playlist is your choice.
Think about 3 -5 different activities that you currently do with your students in a particular unit. Take each of the activities and differentiate them based on the needs of your classes. Then think about how the activities would be integrated to a playlist based on students' needs.
Think about how much of the instructional time in your class is the teacher talking, explaining, showing, demonstrating, etc. Decide three ways that Instructional time in your classroom can be more controlled by the students. Begin planning how you will implement these three ways this school year.
Search the Internet for goal setting activities that will be appropriate for your grade level(s). Begin planning how you will introduce, track, and celebrate goals with your students.
Make a list of pros and cons for digital playlists vs. printed playlists. Decide which you will plan to use for your first / next Flexible Playlist.

For more on Personalized Learning follow Education Elements on Twitter @EdElements

Back to Personalized Learning Strategies page

Report abuse