Knowledge of learners and learning is an essential priority for Library Media Specialists. As the demand for meeting the needs of all learners increases, LMSs are uniquely positioned to observe and support learners across the range of their strengths and challenges. Not only are they able to provide a variety of resources for gathering, processing, and producing information, LMSs are often afforded the opportunity to observe learner strengths that may go overlooked in classroom settings.Personalizing learning is a shift from facilitating implementation of a curricular program to developing a repertoire of instructional resources and strategies to support learner variability. In bridging the disciplines of information and learning, the LMS stays abreast of developments in each, curating and accessing exceptional OER materials and integrating evidence-based mind, brain, and education science (MBES). This module will take a look at the concept and science of learner variability, and investigate and apply two models for designing instruction for learner variability. Students are asked to build on their knowledge of Guided Inquiry Process (see Resources) and OER materials to leveraging learner profiles for effective instructional design.This unit specifically addresses NH ED 614.11.A.1.a and 614.11.A.1.b.

This guide is designed to support your own professional learning around learner variability as well as ideas and resources for sharing with other educators.

Did you know that there is no such thing as an average learner? In fact, each and every learner is different across a whole child spectrum—from the content they know, cognitive abilities, social and emotional factors, and background. Our experiences and our environment shape the way we think and feel about learning and our readiness to process new information. Understanding the research behind learner variability helps us disrupt the inequities of a one-size-fits-all education.

What is learner variability? It is a recognition that each and every student has a unique set of strengths and challenges that impact the way we learn. Learning science research supports the concept of learner variability and provides pathways and strategies for student success in school and beyond. For example, a factor of learning such as working memory, critical to learning new information, can be affected by emotions or sleep. Additionally, it helps us understand how factors can be affected by context. How students learn in person versus virtually or from one subject to the next can be very different. Students may respond positively to different strategies in different situations or work better with different people in different classes. It also helps us understand important social and emotional connections like how a Sense of Belonging can affect students’ readiness and Motivation to engage in learning.

Did you know that learning styles is a myth? Learning styles is a popular idea that many people learned in school. It says that we are either auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners. But, that is not what research tells us. Research says we learn best when all three options are present and that which modality we rely on may change according to the task. For instance, the way you remember a phone number may be different from the way you learn about a historical event or a math formula. Furthermore, people who think of themselves as only learning one way, (e.g., I am a visual) learner, can close themselves off from other learning experiences.