10 September 2024

Empowering Learners through Personalised Learning

By Roan Cruickshank, H.O.D Curriculum Development at Bellavista School

The saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," is a strong metaphor in the South African context. This implies that raising children is not just the responsibility of parents, caretakers, or schools and teachers alone. The village represents the broader community of supportive figures who contribute to a child's upbringing and well-being. Personalised learning involves adapting content to meet the needs of individual learners. There are various ways to create personalised lesson plans. Many adults credit a special teacher for unlocking their learning potential through a personal connection. Personalised learning is especially important in South Africa, where resources are inconsistent. The quality of a school depends greatly on the teachers within its boundaries. At its core, meaningful connections built on trust are fundamental. Many tools and strategies can be shared, but ultimately, support and faith in teachers and educational institutions should be the focus for those invested in the success of South African schools.

The South African educational system has undergone decades of effort to promote inclusivity and equity. Its curriculum is based on national standards set by the Department of Education, aiming to prepare students for future studies and employment. Unequal access to education remains a problem due to historical circumstances. While progress is evident, challenges persist, including delivery issues, inadequate infrastructure, and teacher shortages based on socioeconomic factors. Public and private sector initiatives are in place to improve the educational system and progress can be seen in flexible teaching and support. An initial strategy involves assessing student needs through collaboration with previous assessments and observations. Bellavista School conducts important handover meetings at the beginning of each year, where past teachers provide background information for each learner. Each student's strengths, challenges, learning styles, seating choices, and preferred learning styles are discussed. Different curriculum objectives are then set for lessons aligned with the desired learning outcomes. Each learning space can be adapted to suit the needs of the students.

Personalised learning should offer multiple pathways for learners to demonstrate their understanding of content. Resources like Twinkl (https://www.twinkl.co.za) and Diffit (https://web.diffit.me) enable teachers to provide differentiated learning materials. Schools should move beyond traditional teaching methods and offer learners choices in how they engage with learning, depending on availability. Bellavista's S.H.A.R.E resource centre (https://bellavista.org.za/available-content) provides world-class tools and strategies. One of the most powerful programs is Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (IE). This cognitive programme creates structured conditions to engage young children in problem-solving and metacognition, based on the belief that intelligence is modifiable rather than fixed. Intelligence can be cultivated and enhanced. As a reminder to allow learners to unpack content in their own learning style and pace, I adopted Feuerstein's quote, "Just a moment, let me think," in the form of a poster above my board. Personalised and differentiated learning should be integrated with online, non-kinaesthetic, and sensory opportunities. While worksheets, textbooks, and written tasks are still important, online quizzes such as Kahoot (https://kahoot.com) and apps can bring material to life and support learners in accessing information. Tools like “Read&Write” can help create balance by allowing learners to gain meaningful understanding.

Tasks and assignments should always include an element of play and curiosity and lesson plans should be treated as dynamic documents. Learners should be actively involved in marking and feedback to identify challenges and be given access to a variety of strategies to improve their learning experience, setting them up for lifelong learning. Many studies support the idea that immediate feedback is essential for effective learning. In his book "Visible Learning for Teachers" (2012), John Hattie reviewed numerous studies and found that immediate feedback is one of the most powerful influences on student achievement. Students must understand their strengths and weaknesses, set personal learning goals, and take ownership of their learning process. Personalised learning is fostered through peer-to-peer experiences, such as working together and sharing ideas. Lifelong skills, including critical thinking, communication, and teamwork, are developed through collaborative learning.

As a community, we must apply the philosophy of Ubuntu - recognising the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of community, compassion, and respect - by providing ongoing support. "I am because we are." For more information, visit www.bellavista.org.za