---
title: "Don’t just talk about tech: How ‘personalized learning’ advocates are honing their messaging"
description: How to create an inclusive and effective dialogue to get families and other stakeholders excited about personalized learning.
---

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# [Don’t just talk about tech: How ‘personalized learning’ advocates are honing their messaging](https://www.edelements.com/newsroom/dont-just-talk-about-tech-how-personalized-learning-advocates-are-honing-their-messaging)

 Written by [Matt Barnum](https://www.edelements.com/newsroom/author/matt-barnum) | Apr 12, 2018 7:00:00 AM

Don’t call schools outdated; call them inadequate. Don’t focus on technology; emphasize the benefits for teachers. And try not to talk about testing too much.

That’s some of the advice advocates of “personalized learning” offer in a recent [messaging document](https://www.excelined.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Communicating-Personalized-Learning-to-Families-and-Stakeholders.pdf) meant to help school leaders and others drum up support.

It’s a revealing look at how some backers are trying to sell their approach and define a slippery term — while also trying to nip nascent backlash in the bud.

“We have read the angry op-eds and watched tension-filled board meetings,” authors Karla Phillips and Amy Jenkins write. “In response, we have looked for ways to address the challenge of effectively communicating about personalized learning so it becomes something families demand, not something they fear.”

 

 This article originally appeared on Chalkbeat Access the full article [here](https://chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2018/04/13/dont-just-talk-about-tech-how-personalized-learning-advocates-are-honing-their-messaging/).

[View full post](https://www.edelements.com/newsroom/dont-just-talk-about-tech-how-personalized-learning-advocates-are-honing-their-messaging)

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