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One of the biggest challenges of classroom teaching is meeting every student’s unique needs. Students learn and grow at different paces, so how does one ensure that students in the same class are having their needs met?

In the edLeader Panel “How Leaders Can Support Instruction That Meets Every Learner’s Needs,” education leaders and experts shared strategies for using the “Modern Classroom approach” to better support all learners.

The Approach Explained

The Modern Classroom approach, created by the nonprofit Modern Classrooms Project, is a mastery-based methodology consisting of blended learning and self-paced structures to support every student where they are. Modern Classrooms Project offers a free online course for educators to learn the actionable strategies of this approach in order to implement it in their classrooms.

Students go at their own pace and work one on one with teachers. Teachers record assignment instructions, allowing students to pause, rewind, and do whatever is needed for them to understand. The short, instructional videos allow students to work together and apply what they’ve learned, and less time spent giving instructions means teachers can use classroom time to provide extra support to those who need it. Throughout this approach, teachers spend more time interacting with students, building relationships, and strengthening a sense of community.

Since it is self-paced, students move to the next part of the lesson by showing mastery of the content. Should they struggle with mastery, the teacher has time to assist them in class. After several days of self-paced learning, the class learns together. Teachers work on developing sustainable systems to ensure that self-paced learning goes smoothly while also tracking student progress and what individual students should do each day.

This is a new system for many students, so it’s vital that teachers inspire them to excel. Sitting with students and building relationships helps them feel motivated to take control of their learning. Teachers know their classes best and therefore must determine the best ways to implement this new system. This also means that it’s important to build buy-in with parents and administrators and, later, to work with colleagues to help them succeed with their own Modern Classrooms.

The Approach in Action

Modern Classrooms Project performed a case study at Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia, where a group of 32 teachers used the Modern Classroom approach and 34 teachers were a comparison group. The Modern Classroom group reported more improved behavior, motivation, and engagement than the comparison group.

In addition, the use of recorded instruction meant that the Modern Classroom teachers interacted more with their students, and the students were more likely to report that their teachers challenge them and care about them as individuals than the students in the comparison group were. Modern Classroom teachers also reported greater job satisfaction, enjoyed teaching more, and were more likely to continue teaching than the comparison group teachers. Finally, students from the Modern Classroom group had higher passing rates and fewer absences.

Chesapeake Public Schools used their move to block scheduling as an opportunity to implement Modern Classrooms and address time concerns in classes. Since block scheduling was new to the district, professional development opportunities let teachers learn to use Modern Classroom’s structure and framework to move to student-centered classrooms. The district found teachers who were eager to try a new approach and gave them the opportunity to try a Modern Classroom. Their vocal enthusiasm and successes grew an initial six teachers to 25. District leaders celebrating and championing those teachers spread further interest in the concept.

Modern Classrooms are here to stay in Chesapeake. The system lets teachers be leaders in classrooms and address changes in students and curricula, while also forging a sense of community. Celebrating Modern Classroom teachers’ accomplishments and introducing new teachers to it has made it a lasting part of the district culture.

As Chesapeake has shown, Modern Classrooms are a highly effective way of meeting the individual needs of students and using time efficiently. Teachers and learners alike have thrived with this approach. There are only so many minutes in the class, and Modern Classrooms let teachers make each one count.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, How Leaders Can Support Instruction That Meets Every Learner’s Needs, sponsored by The Modern Classrooms Project.

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Join the Community

Teaching All Students is a free professional learning community to provide a space for school professionals to discover and share practical strategies for inclusive classrooms.

The Modern Classrooms Project empowers educators to implement a self-paced, mastery-based instructional model that leverages technology to foster human connection, authentic learning, and social-emotional growth.

Article by Jon Scanlon, based on this edLeader Panel