In practically all areas of our modern lives, technology has made personalisation into an integral part of service delivery in every imaginable sector. From targeted advertising based on our likes and dislikes, to the ability to work how and when we please thanks to workplace mobility – the needs of the individual, rather than the collective, now take centre stage.
So why hasn’t the education sector cottoned on yet? The schooling models we all know to be the standard were developed in a pre-digital time. In fact, the history of curricular schooling can be traced back to the days of Plato, who lived from 427-347 BC. We don’t use pre-digital methods in manufacturing or business, so why in education, especially considering the often-disappointing results.
At Top Dog Education, we have made it our mission to bring the advantages of personalisation to our students, both inside and outside the classroom. In fact, the self-paced learning and adaptive learning methods that our online platform employs provide educational personalisation to an unprecedented level – and have already shown some truly remarkable results. The world has long known that a one-size-fits-all approach to education invariably leaves some students behind, and the information available to us in the modern, data-driven world is beginning to explain why.
Because Everybody Absorbs Information In Different Ways
Education is usually boiled down to fact retention and understanding of concepts, and all learners have the potential to conquer these feats, though not always in the same way or on the same timeline. Some learn best through good old teaching, reading and homework, but many others excel only when different methods and media are incorporated.
At Top Dog Education, for example, our content takes many forms, to fit into all sorts of learning styles. Video lectures and slide-shows are perfect for students who simply want to brush up ahead of a big exam, while videos and other multi-sensory content aid in learning for those who need a more engaging format to readily absorb the content at hand. It’s our belief that in the not-too-distant future, all school students will have access to this form of personalisation, and that educational outcomes can only improve as a result.
Because Everybody Learns at a Different Pace
Personalised learning affords every learner the freedom to set goals and approach curriculum materials at the pace most comfortable to them – with better retention and understanding as the result. In a personalised learning environment, the pace is adjusted to the individual’s needs and preferences. Every learner has the freedom to progress at their own pace, so that those who have difficulties acquiring certain skills or knowledge can take the time to fully grasp a concept before moving on to the next.
Because Teachers Need a Little Help
Teachers often get a bad rap when their results are less than spectacular, but many people don’t consider the delicate balancing act of their everyday work lives. With a large curriculum to get through, many students learning simultaneously, and only so many hours in the day, it’s inevitable that some students will be left behind, or fail to grasp important concepts in the allocated time. Personalised learning on digital platforms allows a time-flexible and self-paced lifeline that benefits learners and teachers alike.
In an age where standardisation is the norm, it’s easy to forget that every human being is unique, requiring different conditions in order to thrive. Personalised learning enabled by technological innovation is turning the standard model on its head with a different perspective on education – one that puts the learner first.
