This is the third article of the series about aligning technology with learning and teaching objectives.

Personalised learning is an educational approach that tailors instruction to meet the individual needs and learning styles of each student. This approach recognises that students learn at different paces and in different ways, and it aims to provide each student with the support and challenges they need to succeed. As a teacher, I’ve often found myself struggling to manage my classroom in a way that allows me to personalise each student’s learning. I remember one student, Sarah, who excelled in mathematics but struggled with reading comprehension. Another student, David, was a gifted writer but needed extra help with his maths skills. Trying to find the “magic wand” to meet all their diverse needs felt like an impossible task. That’s where technology stepped in and revolutionised my approach. Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating personalised learning by providing tools and resources that enable educators to tailor instruction, track student progress, and create more engaging learning experiences.

Technology offers a range of tools and resources that can be used to personalise learning in K12 classrooms. For example, I started using Google Classroom as my Learning Management System (LMS), and it was a game-changer. I could easily create and deliver differentiated content for Sarah and David, track their progress, and provide personalised feedback. This LMS, along with others like Schoology, and Canvas, has become an indispensable tool for many teachers who want to personalise the learning of their students.
A great example of this is the use of practice sets in Google Classroom, as students could be working on different levels of practice sets, but on the same topic, and the tool itself provides feedback and further information if the student needs an extra push.

I also experimented with adaptive learning platforms, which use algorithms to adjust the difficulty of learning activities based on student performance. This ensured that each student was challenged at their level. It was amazing to see how Sarah and David could work through the same topic at their own pace, and I didn’t have to worry about one being bored or the other feeling overwhelmed. Khan Academy, Dr Frost Maths, Century Tech or IXL Learning are great examples of this.

Technology also provided me with assessment tools that allowed me to create and administer formative and summative assessments, giving me the data I needed to track student progress and identify areas where individual students needed additional support. I could quickly see where Sarah was struggling with reading comprehension and provide her with targeted exercises, while also challenging David with more complex math problems. Socrative and Nearpod are some examples, but also Quizizz could be use for this purpose.

Collaboration tools also became an integral part of my personalised learning approach. Technology facilitated collaboration and communication among students, allowing them to work together on projects, share ideas, and provide peer support. I remember a group project where Sarah’s math skills and David’s writing abilities complemented each other beautifully, resulting in an outstanding presentation. Using Google Workspace for Education tools such as Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets you can create the perfect collaborative ecosystem for your students.

Personalised learning with technology offers several benefits for K12 students. I witnessed firsthand how increased engagement made learning more relevant and engaging for students, as they were able to learn at their own pace and in a way that suits their learning style. Sarah, who used to dread reading assignments, became engrossed in interactive online stories tailored to her level. David, who often found math tedious, enjoyed the challenge of solving puzzles on an adaptive math platform.

Improved learning outcomes were another significant benefit. When students are given the support and challenges they need, they are more likely to succeed academically. Sarah’s reading comprehension scores improved dramatically, and David finally grasped the math concepts that had eluded him for so long.

I also observed increased motivation in my students. Personalised learning helped them develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their learning, leading to increased motivation and self efficacy. Sarah and David became more confident in their abilities and eager to take on new challenges.

Technology also played a crucial role in helping students develop 21st Century Skills. Through online research, collaborative projects, and digital presentations, they honed their critical thinking, problem solving, and digital literacy skills, which are essential for success in the modern world.

While personalised learning with technology offers many benefits, there are also challenges that educators need to consider. Cost and access to devices and reliable internet connectivity can be a barrier for some schools and students. I was fortunate to work in some well equipped schools, but I know that many schools struggle to provide equitable access to technology.

Teacher training and support is another crucial aspect. I was lucky to have received and delivered extensive training on using technology for personalised learning, but I know that many teachers feel overwhelmed and underprepared. If this is your case, reach me out to see how I can help with this.

Data privacy and security is also a concern that schools need to address. I was always mindful of protecting my students’ data and ensuring that it was used responsibly and ethically. There are so many powerful tools out there but some of them are not GDPR compliance to be use in Europe or UK.

Several schools have successfully implemented personalised learning with technology as some case studies state. Khan Academy, for example, provides a free online learning platform with personalised learning resources for K12 students. Summit Learning combines online learning with project based learning and mentoring, while New Classrooms offers personalised learning models and tools for K12 schools. These are just a few examples of how technology is being used to create more personalised and effective learning experiences for students.

Personalised learning with technology has the potential to transform K12 education by providing students with the individualised support and challenges they need to succeed. By addressing the challenges and embracing the opportunities of personalised learning, educators can create a more engaging, effective, and equitable learning experience for all students. From my own experience, I can confidently say that technology is not a “magic wand” but a powerful tool that can unlock every student’s potential.

What are your experiences when trying to personalise the learning of your students?