Customized, Personalized Learning with Sherry Crofut and Lennie Symes

Wouldn’t it be nice if learners were empowered with an active voice in their learning instead of continuing with the industrial age model? We want to talk about a two-pronged approach of district planning and teacher professional growth, will help create learning opportunities that meet learners at their readiness level and learning style, engage learners with content of their interest, and motivate learners with intrinsically rewarding education. We will examine the possibilities of bringing lasting change to student-centered learning by coordinating the district planning to rebuild weight-bearing walls that stand in the way, while at the same time, providing a varied and customized growth experience for teachers with the integration of the technology tools necessary to make this possible.

Sherry Crofut started with TIE in July 2010 as an Education Technology Specialist. Prior to that, Sherry spent 11 years at North Middle School in Rapid City – eight as a computer teacher and three as an 8th grade English teacher. In 2007, Sherry completed her Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota in Technology in Education and Training. Also in 2007, she was the recipient of the Milken award and in 2008 Sherry achieved National Board Certification. She is Google Apps Certified and has become a Google Glass Explorer. Sherry is passionate about technology integration and truly believes education should reflect teaching our 21st century students with the 21st century skills they are going to need in this world. Sherry believes that customized learning is not only "inevitable," but essential to improving the education system and giving our students the best education possible!