Definition and commentary
Personalised learning is a policy initiative that incorporates five key areas:
- Assessment for learning
- Teaching and learning strategies
- Curriculum entitlement and choice
- A student centred approach to school organisation
- Strong partnership beyond the school
It has been linked to improvements in social justice as a result of increased opportunities for ‘disadvantaged' pupils to experience educational success:
"Personalised learning means high quality teaching that is responsive to the different ways students achieve their best. A system that responds to individual pupils, by creating an education pathway that takes account of their needs, interests and aspirations, will not only generate excellence, it will also make a strong contribution to social justice."
(Personalised learning, DfES, 2004)
However it has been suggested that low professional expectations could lead to specific groups of pupils experiencing personalised provision that limits their educational opportunities and future life chances (see link below to the DfES report Priority Review: Exclusion of Black Pupils. 'Getting It. Getting It Right'.
Resources
Harris, A. and Ranson, S. (2005) The contradictions of education policy: disadvantage and achievement, British Educational Research Journal, 31, 5, pp. 571 - 587.
