Personalized Learning Shines in Four-Week Bespoke Program

Transformative.

That is the word students and teachers have used to describe this year’s PLEx, a four-week learning experience designed to be intensely personal and impactful for each Grade 9 and 10 student.

The theme of this year’s PLEx program was “empowered learning,” and students had the chance to define what that meant to them, connect it to their personal interests, and then develop a project to pursue during the four weeks through the lenses of their academic subjects.

“What we saw in the students and teachers was a revived joy of learning,” PLEx Coordinator Ellie Clark said. “We’re so proud of the students for challenging themselves to work hard, take risks, and be willing to try a new but powerful approach to learning. Seeing students be surprised, delighted, and full of wonder through their journey is what makes for meaningful connections, impactful experiences, personal growth.”

• Some of the projects that students took on included
• Building a research-based website explaining the science of high-level training for female athletes
• Production and publication of a podcast exploring mental health in teenagers
• Original musical composition and a live performance at Addis Ababa’s most famous live house
• Direction and production of a short-form documentary about child labor
• Personalized support of the technology team at ICS

The PLEx program was designed in collaboration between ICS faculty and Globally Reconnect, a world-leading educational consultancy group focused on creating inspiring, globally minded, holistic learning experiences for students. The structures, styles, and approaches for PLEx were developed uniquely for ICS Addis based on the latest neuro-scientific research into how students learn and the emotions, self-awareness, and reflection that drive impactful, sustained learning. It’s different than the learning students take on in their day-to-day classes, but it’s representative of a major shift in education and howa ICS values deep, personalized learning experiences.

At the end of the four weeks, students held an exhibition. The PLExhibition was similar to the ones they held for arts, dance, and other subjects, but for PLEx, the students went beyond presenting their outcomes and showcased their entire four-week journey, from conceptualization to taking their learning beyond the program.

“By approaching PLEx using a methodology aligned with neuro-scientific research, it’s been incredible to see the motivations students have to make deep connections between their interests and deep academic learning,” Ellie said. “Because of the model we are using consistently across the school sections and with all teachers, we are seeing students and teachers collaborating to enhance the culture of deep, personalized, meaningful learning at ICS. We are lucky to be at a school and in a community which supports this kind of innovative, student-driven learning.”

To find out more about PLEx and personalized learning at ICS, visit our Learn page.