We’ve all been there—endless stacks of print materials, a library of online courses, and a calendar full of district PD offerings. It’s a lot. And while each resource has value, figuring out where to start and how to make it truly relevant for your classroom can feel overwhelming. That’s where the principles of andragogy—adult learning theory—can help.

As an adult learner, your experience matters. You know what works, what doesn’t, and where your students need the most support. On-demand learning gives you the flexibility to leverage that experience, choosing what matters most to your growth and your classroom. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Take stock of what’s available.
   Begin by identifying the types of resources at your disposal. Print materials might include research articles, instructional guides, or longer books and manuals. Online options may range from short video tutorials to full courses or even interactive simulations. And don’t forget school- or district-provided PD sessions—they often include opportunities for collaboration and hands-on practice. Create a simple list or map of these options so you know what’s in your toolkit.
2. Reflect and narrow your focus.
   Before diving into resources, spend time reflecting on your own intuition and classroom observations. Combine this with available data—walk-through feedback, evaluation results, student surveys, or peer observations. What patterns are emerging? Where do your students seem to need the most support? Which areas of your teaching practice could have the biggest impact if you honed in on them? Using both your professional instincts and concrete evidence will help you zero in on a focus that is meaningful, actionable, and aligned to your students’ needs.
3. Identify your learning lens.
   Once you’ve reflected and analyzed the data, define your focus area. Maybe it’s improving formative assessments, experimenting with new engagement strategies, or integrating a technology tool more effectively. Having a clear lens for learning makes it easier to sift through resources, ask the right questions, and know what to prioritize. If you are unclear, a great place to start is with your school’s model of instruction or any classroom-aligned categories on your teacher evaluation. These are areas where your school or district will typically focus PD and provide resources, and also areas of practice where you will likely be evaluated, and, therefore, are good places to start when considering where to dedicate more time and attention. 
4. Mix and match resources.
   Now that you know your focus, you can better utilize your toolkit. Combine print, online, and PD experiences to deepen understanding. For example, read an article on differentiated instruction, watch a micro-video on practical strategies, and then try out one new approach during your next lesson. On-demand learning is most effective when it’s applied in real time. 
5. Reflect, adjust, and iterate.
   Reviewing a variety of resources with time in between to process or apply will help ensure that you can apply new strategies or ideas incrementally, paying close attention to results as you go. Take a few minutes after each learning session—or after trying something new in class—to reflect again. What worked? What didn’t? How did students respond? What questions remain? Reflection turns passive learning into active growth and helps you adjust your focus as your students’ needs evolve. If you are not seeing the results you want, consider returning to one or more of the resources to review or seek further clarity.
6. Connect and collaborate.
   Your experience is powerful, but it gets even stronger when shared. Engage with colleagues in professional learning communities, discussion boards, or informal check-ins. Sharing successes, challenges, and ideas reinforces your learning while building a supportive network.

On-demand learning isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore—it’s a practical way to focus your time and energy on what really matters in your classroom. By blending intuition with data, defining a clear focus, and actively applying your learning, you can turn flexibility into meaningful growth. The result? A learning journey that’s not only relevant for you, but transformative for your students.  

For access to research-aligned, on-demand resources aligned to Competency-Based Education as well as a community of educators who are actively implementing CBE in their classroom, consider subscribing to the Learning Hub, a resource powered by Marzano Academies featuring resources aligned to the research of Dr. Robert Marzano as well as tools built for you by educators like you.