In this article, the author asserts that personalized learning can help resolve some of the unique challenges that rural schools and students in rural districts face. However, most of the initiatives to implement personalized learning, and the corresponding education research, have focused on urban settings. The article looks at how implementation in a rural setting is unique, including ways in which personalized learning could benefit communities and capitalize on their specific strengths, such as strong ties to a local trade, which can form the basis for relevant real-world curriculum and internship opportunities. It also discusses several implementation challenges specific to rural settings.
This article provides a basic overview of the challenges and potential benefits to implementation of personalized learning in rural settings. For state, district, and local leaders, it can also serve as a good introduction to a longer report, The Promise of Personalized Learning in Rural America which explores the topics in more detail.
Source Organization: EdSurge