EP331 Want to individualize learning without overwhelm? Try this self-paced approach (with Rob Barnett)

How can you meet the needs of every learner in your classroom while keeping your workload manageable? In this episode, Robert Barnett shares how self-paced learning can transform your teaching and create a more personalized, effective, and sustainable experience for both you and your students.

We dive into the Modern Classrooms approach, breaking it down into actionable steps that any teacher can take—whether you’re ready to fully embrace self-paced learning or just want to try one small change tomorrow. From recording simple instructional videos to using mastery checks, Rob shares what works, why it works, and how to adapt it for your students’ needs.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to get started with self-paced learning by taking small, manageable steps.
• The three core components of a modern classroom lesson: warmups, instructional videos, and mastery-based assessments.
• Practical strategies for motivating students, including how to encourage those content with “the minimum” to push themselves further.
• How to use mastery checks as quick, actionable assessments that inform your next steps without creating a data overload.
• Ideas for creating collaborative group work that ensures all students are engaged and appropriately challenged.
• Tips for addressing chronic absenteeism and ensuring all students can succeed, no matter their attendance.
• How schools can support teachers in implementing self-paced learning by providing time, autonomy, and collaboration opportunities.
• Why relationships are at the heart of any successful approach to personalized learning.

Whether you’re looking for ways to individualize learning, reduce stress, or build stronger connections with your students, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical ideas you can use right away.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.