Google has announced “practice sets” as an opportunity to personalize student learning. The approach promises data from student behavior for educators to consider and recommends resources algorithmically identified to assist students. Without putting down the Google effort, I do think it relevant to recognize that the Kahn Academy has provided practice sets for several years.
The Google sets will offer an opportunity for educators wanting to track which students need additional help, but personalization of this type fails to recognize the great differences in existing levels of knowledge/skill at any given time. Personalization when ideally implemented focuses on moving students into new content when existing knowledge allows them some realistic chance to not be overwhelmed. The Kahn Academy’s efforts to individual the pace of exposure to new material (mastery learning) is the goal the interest in personalization eventually needs to target.
Chromebook Classroom episode with project member from Google.