Columbia Borough School District is committed to the implementation of strategies to enhance the education of our students through our Personalized Learning (PL) program. The PL program is defined as a flexible and personalized educational program that integrates new instructional strategies and a mixture of technology tools with the goal of transforming classrooms from teacher-centric to student-centered personalized learning environments, which focus on high academics and the integration of 21st century skills. The PL program is occurring because of the District’s comprehensive plan, which included a goal to integrate 21st Century Learning Skills by utilizing computers as instructional tools.

Key components of the PL program include the ever-changing role of the classroom teacher, use of a learning management system, and use of student mobile computing devices. Teacher roles are transforming to provide a blended approach of traditional and digital learning resources while mentoring students on how to become self-regulated in their own learning. The learning management system enables teachers to organize curriculum content, provide formative assessments to help change instructional practice, and create a more personalized learning path for students. Mobile devices provide the anytime-anywhere access to learning that is needed for our students to become proficient, life-long learners. Student-centered instructional strategies being introduced include project-based learning, active inquiry, computer-based formative assessments, and hybrid learning. The District continues to go to great lengths to provide our educators with ongoing professional development for best practices in using technology and new instructional strategies.

Every year in grades 9 through 12, students will be participating in the PL program. Students in these grades will have assigned laptops that they will take home every night. The laptop has all of the necessary software needed for their curriculum and learning goals in addition to an internet filter that is active at both school and anywhere the students access the Internet.

Costs associated with the PL program are offset with grants, the reduction in printing, curtailment of traditional textbook purchases, and extension of current student and staff computer refresh cycles. The district is always searching and applying for additional grant funding to further offset costs. Parents and/or guardians do not have to pay a fee for their student’s technology use. Questions may be directed toward Mr. Lotsie Wooten, Director of Technology @ (717)681-2206.