How to Make Learning More Personal

Personalised learning is an approach to education that recognises and makes adjustments for the way someone takes on and processes information. Did you know that when we teach others, we often do so in a way that we would find useful?  This is why everyone explains complex problems differently. The problem is that our learning preferences don’t always match the child we’re teaching.

Studies have shown that personalised learning can help improve overall understanding of topics. Understanding how your child learns is the first step in creating a personalised curriculum at home and in the classroom. One of the greatest things about homeschooling is that you get to choose what to cover and finding out what your child’s learning preferences are is the icing on the cake, making a great situation even better.

 

Implement Adaptive Learning

One technique that can be useful for making learning more personal is adaptive learning. This approach allows you to deliver teaching in a way that works best for each student. While it sounds labour-intensive, it can easily be implemented through technology. When used effectively it is an excellent way to increase engagement and, as a result, therefore grades.

 

Encourage curiosity

One of the main benefits of personalised learning is that it encourages students to see themselves as learners. This approach helps put your child at the centre of their learning so that they actively take part in their learning experience. It teaches them to feel empowered to explore new options that may work for them, which is an excellent life skill to take into adulthood.

 

Develop self-advocacy

Another fantastic benefit of personalised learning is that it helps develop self-advocacy, an important skill to take forward into adulthood. It means that your child will be comfortable speaking up for what works best for them, a solid foundation for confidence. It allows them to express their needs so that they can be met by others.

 

Personalised Learning and Homeschooling

You can help your child develop this skill by encouraging them to speak up when a situation isn’t working for them. A good way of doing this is to give them the space to ask for a section of a lesson to be repeated if they did not understand it. You can also encourage them to think about how they voice their concerns, encouraging them to use a respectful and calm tone as opposed to shouting or losing their temper.

A good way to encourage curiosity when homeschooling, or in the classroom, is to encourage your child to give you feedback about what they do and do not enjoy. Perhaps they really enjoy learning outside and find it hard to concentrate in a more traditional “classroom” environment. Maybe they learn best through doing and need more physical activities. Perhaps they like to copy notes out and find that this helps them retain information. Whatever it is, by asking for feedback you’re making sure you’re giving them the best chance to learn in a way that works for them. You could run a feedback session at the end of the week, building the responses into the next set of lessons.

 

Discover how they’re Wired for Learning

Wired for Learning helps you discover how your child learns best through a 10-minute assessment using a piece of paper and a pen. It really is that simple! By using the information you submit after taking your child through 5 simple activities, we put together a personalised learning report that allows you to create a truly unique experience for your child. You’ll understand what their dominances are, how they impact learning, and simple exercises you can do to encourage learning.

 

Take the first step today at www.wiredforlearning.co.uk

Previous
Previous

How Wired for Learning can support your home-schooled child