Individualized curriculum

An individualized curriculum (alternatively known as direct instruction, differentiated instruction, individualized learning, individualized instruction, personalized learning, and personal learning environment) is any educational program tailored to meet the needs of a particular learner.

• Differentiation. According to differentiation expert Dr. Carol Tomlinson, differentiation is not a teaching strategy, but rather a way of thinking about learning. In terms of application it is the specific design of “content, process, or product” according to a student’s readiness, interest, or learning profile. Tomlinson explains that “differentiation does not presume different tasks for each learner, but rather just enough flexibility in task complexity, working arrangements, and modes of learning expression that varied students find learning a good fit much of the time.” In short, differentiation is the process of personalizing universal learning goals for groups of students. As such, it is closely related to (but different than) personalized learning and individualized learning.
• Individualized learning. The customizing of universal content (e.g., Common Core) for individual students. See also Personalized Learning, Differentiated Learning, and Self-Directed Learning.
• Personalized learning. The process of designing a learning experience for an individual learner, including content, learning model, assessment forms, and mode of knowledge application. Personalized learning can arise from any learning experience that is self-initiated and self-directed in pursuit of outcomes that are first personal (e.g., curiosity-based, self-prioritized, etc.)