Personalised Learning

Is student-centred

Personalised learning, also referred to as student-centred learning, places the personal learning needs of each student as the primary goal of education, rather than what may be the preferred, more convenient or logistically easier option for teachers. According to 'The Great Schools Partnership', personalised learning is:

"intended to facilitate the academic success of each student by first determining the learning needs, interests, and aspirations of individual students, and then providing learning experiences that are customized—to a greater or lesser extent—for each student." ¹

Key components

There is a general consensus that the key components of personalising learning are:

• learning how to learn
• assessment for learning
• a portfolio of effective teaching and learning strategies
• curriculum choice
• mentoring and support

Includes target-setting linked to high-quality assessment

David Miliband, an early advocate of personalised learning in the U.K. gave a speech in which he proposed that:

"decisive progress in educational standards occurs where every child matters; careful attention is paid to their individual learning styles, motivations, and needs; there is rigorous use of pupil target-setting linked to high-quality assessment; lessons are well paced and enjoyable; and pupils are supported by partnership with others well beyond the classroom." ²

Provides clear pathways through the system

Miliband later went on to state that

"Personalised learning means every student enjoying curriculum choice, a breadth of study and personal relevance, with clear pathways through the system.” ³

¹ Personalised Learning (14 May 2015) in S. Abbott (Ed.), The glossary of education reform. Retrieved from http://edglossary.org/personalized-learning/

² Miliband, D. (2004) Personalised Learning: Building a New Relationship with Schools transcript of speech given at the North of England Education Conference, Belfast, 8th January 2004. www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/personalised-learning.pdf

³ Miliband, D. (2006) Choice and Voice in Personalised Learning, OECD Personalising Education, p.25