Isn’t it strange that our fingers are of different sizes, shapes, and lengths? People do not think or try to find any reason for this because it is assumed to be a normal element of the human body. Similarly, humans also tend to have different abilities and skills in learning or grabbing knowledge. The ways of learning differ from one person to others, each individual has their process of learning things. The intelligence level (IQ) of every individual differs. Do you know your IQ level? Do you follow learning patterns that are appropriate to your level of intelligence? Every human should know these basic factors about their abilities and disabilities of learning and based on these factors they should decide their way of learning.
Today, the process of learning is given much importance compared to the older days, every student wants to learn in a way that makes them understand the concepts easily. Most of the educational institutions are focusing on personalized learning as it enhances the individual knowledge of the students. Personalized learning aims at developing and strengthening the learning skills of the students according to their capabilities. An example to explain personalized learning is, a class full of various students whose scale of understanding topic differs.
After the classes few students may leave the class by understanding the topic, some may leave with boredom because they already know a lot about this topic and they feel their time is being wasted. Some students leave the class by carrying too many doubts in their mind as they have not understood the topic completely. In such cases, it is hard for a teacher to find out those students who have doubts and clear every student’s queries. These differences can be sorted when the students opt for personalized learning, a prioritized way where every student can learn all the major topics in the easiest method they require.
Why Personalized Learning?
Every class is bifurcated between slow learners and fast learners. The teachers should know that all the students in the class do not study in the same pattern or understands at the same pace. With the changing trends in education and the advent of the internet and technology, there are numerous ways to teach the students and ensure that every student has understood the concept. One of the trends that are transforming the style of learning is personalized learning, this approach of education is helping the students get the right way of education. Some students are skilled in extracurricular activities like sports, arts, music, or dancing, therefore having flexibility in learning knowledge or getting an education helps student excel in both that is academics and their interested skills. In the present time, more than 70 percent of the students across the globe prefer for personalized learning, and more than 59 percent of students feel encouraged while studying using personalized learning methods.
Strategies for Personalized Learning –
The teaching patterns are evolving according to the changing trends of the education sector, also, the term Personalized Learning will be turned as one of the convincing methods of providing knowledge to the students in upcoming years. Following are some of the strategies that can be used in offering the most excellent Personalized Learning to the students –
- Allow Students to Make Choices –
Students should be given the opportunity to choose the way they want to finish their tasks such as completing the projects or assignments. Students should be allowed to showcase their creativity and talents in learning or any other extra activity. By this, the teachers can easily understand the way in which an individual is comfortable in learning. For example, one student may be great in describing things through words that is by writing it down, whereas the other student may be good in explaining the concept by speech, he/she will be excellent in convincing others by his communication skills.
- Educate the Teachers about Personalized Learning –
Firstly the teachers have to be educated about Personalized Learning, they should know why, how and when can this method be used. They should understand the objectivity of providing personalized learning to the students. The teachers have to be trained in providing quality learning to every student if they understand the process and importance of personalized learning than the program will run smoothly.
- Making Best Use of Technology –
Using technology is the best and easiest way of personalized technology. Some students may understand topics better with the visual effects, teachers can use videos while explaining the subjects to students. Some students may learn with games, for example, a student can learn history or geography using games. Today, every school has a smart class and using this technology, the teachers can teach the students in several innovative ways.
- Conducting Group Discussions –
Some students may hesitate in asking questions and clearing doubts, so, by conducting group discussions the students can share their knowledge with others. Students with like-minded collaborate or open up to each other easily.
- Give Importance to Student Opinions and Suggestions-
Ask the students what they want to study and how they want to study, by this the students feel that their opinions are considered and importance is given. This can also turn the subjects interesting in different and creative ways of teaching every student suggests.
The current landscape of the education sector in India is modernizing with the time, also the education centres have started believing in personalized learning and its importance. Today, the learners want to apply creative ways to studying to make education interesting. Personalized Learning is turning as a potential method of providing education to the students by knowing their abilities and skills in learning new concepts.