Fulton County Schools personalized learning initiative, including how mobile technology devices are being used to enhance classroom instruction, was a major focus at a recent work session of the Fulton County Board of Education. Personalized learning is the unique way Fulton schools customize instruction so that every students educational needs, diverse skills and specific interests are met.
 
SPLOST, the one-penny sales tax for education, has been the funding source for literally putting the latest technology in students hands. Using a marketplace model where schools can choose from Apple iPads, Microsoft Surfaces, Dell Latitudes and Dell Chromebooks to design their personalized learning technology plans, 23 of Fultons nearly 100 schools have rolled out nearly 17,500 devices since August. By September 2017, approximately 65,000 devices total will be issued to students and teachers in all Fulton schools. The device roll-out plan calls for middle schools and high schools to issue one device per student, and in elementary schools, classroom sets are used to foster collaborative learning among students.

Principal Shannon Kersey from Alpharetta High School said that the personalized learning model is helping students with diverse learning backgrounds. Its not just about the device. Its about giving teachers the tools they need to help students be successful, she said. This is a true blended learning model that uses technology to differentiate instruction to help students with what they need. The devices are an enhancement to what weve always been doing focusing on quality instruction.