Participate and share: Interactive session 
Recorded Session
Virtual Session
At the Learner Variability Project, we design models of learning that paint a holistic portrait of a learner grounded in research. By inviting students to understand their own learner variability, we empower them to see the unique constellation of strengths and challenges they bring to their learning and how to leverage their strengths, learn from mistakes, and advocate for their needs. We'll share why this is vital for building agency as well as tools, lesson plans, and stories from the field! The presentation will include interactive discussions about the research behind learner variability. Demonstrations of the Learner Variability Navigator and guided exploration time. It will include small group discussions of different lesson plans from the guide to teaching students about learner variability. We'll also share the impact of these lessons as reported by teachers from our pilot with Donors Choose.
The tool featured in this presentation is the Learner Variability Navigator(LVN), a free and open-source tool designed to make the science of learning more accessible. By highlighting connections among factors and strategies the LVN helps educators understand why certain strategies may impact students differently thus empowering them to support the full diversity of learners. The LVN includes six learner models from grades pre-K through 12 in literacy and math, as well as an adult learner model—all based on a whole learner framework curated by researchers and practitioners. When we understand learner variability, we see a design challenge, not a student problem.
The resource will feature is the Field Guide to Teaching Students about Learner Variability (https://digitalpromise.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/LVP-Student-Activity-Guide.pdf) . This guide explains what learner variability is, how to explain it to students. It also features lesson plans written by teachers and additional tools to support students in understanding their own learner variability.
The objectives of this session are:
Participants will deepen their understanding of learner variability and how it can support student agency.
Participants will explore digital tools and resources for implementing this practice in the classroom.
Participants will reflect on research findings and implications for supporting whole child student-centered learning.
10 min-learner variability and a whole child approach to understanding agency (interactive discussion and presentation, using menti-meter polls and word clouds with handheld devices)
15 min- explore the Learner Variability Navigator (quick demo and allow participants time to explore on their own device and ask questions using a guided self-reflection activity)
10 min-overview of the guide to teaching students about learner variability
15 explore and discuss different lesson plans from teachers on how to teach this to students-(small group discussion based on which lesson plan they select)
10 min-Debrief + Q&A
Pape, B. (2018). Learner Variability is the Rule, Not the Exception
https://digitalpromise.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Learner-Variability-Is-The-Rule.pdf
Rose, Todd & Rouhani, Parisa & Fischer, Kurt. (2013). The Science of the Individual. Mind, Brain, and Education. 7. 10.1111/mbe.12021.
Tare, M., Shell. A. R., & Jackson, J. (2022, June). Shifting mindsets: Designing lessons for learner variability. Digital Promise.
https://digitalpromise.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Report-Shifting-Mindsets-Designing-Lessons-for-Learner-Variability.pdf
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