Personalized instruction has taken on an increased importance in modern society that has not yet been reflected in actual substantive changes to our educational systems. Current information-age societies require critical thinkers and life-long learner...
Personalized instruction has taken on an increased importance in modern society that has not yet been reflected in actual substantive changes to our educational systems. Current information-age societies require critical thinkers and life-long learners, educational outcomes less likely to be developed in a time-based system and therefore requiring a system of education focused on student learning and mastery of skills and knowledge (McCombs & Whisler, 1997; Reigeluth & Watson, 2008). Such transformation of education requires personalization of instruction. This paper draws from the literature to define personalization and formulate an instructional theory and principles for the instructional design of personalized learning. The paper covers learning theory that forms the basis for personalized instruction as well as existing models in the literature. It then describes the values behind personalized instruction before identifying universal principles. These principles include personalized instructional goals, personalized task environment, personalized scaffolding of instruction, personalized assessment of performance and learning, and personalized reflection.