Higher education is shifting from a one-size-fits-all model to one that recognises and values the individuality of each learner. This shift is known as personalised learning, an approach that tailors learning experiences to students’ needs, interests, goals, and pace.

In an age of diverse learners, digital flexibility, and demand for real-world relevance, personalisation is not a luxury it’s a necessity.

What Is Personalised Learning?

Personalised learning is an instructional approach that:

• Builds on students’ prior knowledge and skills.
• Allows flexibility in how, when, and where students engage with content.
• Offers choice in learning pathways, assessment formats, and pacing.
• Provides targeted support and feedback to promote mastery.

Rather than treating all students the same, it embraces student agency, adaptability, and autonomy.

Why It Matters

Today’s students bring a wide range of experiences, learning styles, and responsibilities to their studies. Personalised learning helps:

• Boost motivation and engagement by connecting content to personal goals.
• Improve outcomes by addressing individual strengths and challenges.
• Foster ownership of learning, preparing students for lifelong learning and self-direction.

In short, it supports both equity and excellence.

Practical Strategies for Personalisation

1. Flexible Content Delivery
   Use recorded lectures, podcasts, and reading options to allow students to choose how they engage with content.
2. Choice in Assessment
   Offer alternative formats presentations, essays, portfolios, so students can demonstrate learning in ways that align with their strengths.
3. Learning Analytics for Support
   Use platforms that track progress and provide timely, tailored feedback. These insights can help educators identify students needing support or extension.
4. Adaptive Learning Technologies
   Tools like smart quizzes or personalised study paths (e.g., in platforms like Coursera or Khan Academy) can adjust difficulty based on performance.
5. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
   Support students in setting their own learning goals and reflecting on progress, especially in postgraduate or professional programmes.
   

Final Thoughts

Personalised learning is not about individualising every task, it’s about building flexibility, choice, and responsiveness into the learning journey. By meeting students where they are, we empower them to grow, not only as learners but as self-aware, motivated individuals ready to face an unpredictable future.