One of more complicated aspects to design for in education is individualization. Each learner has a unique intersection of sociocultural factors that differs from all others. Instructors tend to design from their specific intersection, possibly leaving out the intersections of many individuals in their course. Student-centered learning seeks to shift the power center of a course from the instructor to the learners, but this is often accomplished by consensus. This consensus will generally be dominated by the more privileged learners in the group.

Self-Mapped Learning Pathways (SMLP) was originally conceptualized as an open pedagogy design methodology that centers learner individuality in a manner that still supports connection with other students and instructors (Crosslin, 2021). SMLP is guided by critical theories that decenter dominant identities (see Crenshaw, 1989; Spivak, 1999; and Valenzuela, 2005 for examples). The core idea behind SMLP course structure is that instructors design for two modalities: one that is a traditional instructor-centered pathway, and another that is an open modality for learners to self-determine their own pathway. However, learners are given the option to choose either modality at and time, change as they like, and even mix or match both as they need.

This choice gives learners the freedom to center the learning experience on their individuality, while also having the option of relying on the instructor when/if needed. Bali and Caines (2018) refer to SMLP as an equitable design methodology, mainly because these course structures allow all learners to map their own unique learning pathway based on their current capabilities.

While SMLP has been researched in open and closed courses, at least some form of open design is required for learners to be able to facilitate learner choices. Research has determined that best practices include both learners and instructors creating space for the course on a web domain that they have control over. This session will look at a summary of the small body of research results from various studies into SMLP courses conducted by the presenter and other researchers. Additionally, course websites, assignment banks, and learner work hubs created in open tools like WordPress on Reclaim Hosting-hosted websites will be showcased. As time permits, the session will also touch on subaltern views of student-centered learning, challenges that affect learner agency in the global south, how courses based on SMLP can integrate cultural diversity, and power struggles that result from bringing all of these factors together in one space.