Personalized vs Traditional Learning: What’s Best for Your Child?

Category: Skoodos

As parents, we want what is best for our children when it comes to education. The school and its environment will either build or break their progress, engagement, and academic learning. Over the years, two major trends of thought have become popular: one is personalized learning and the other is traditional learning. The question is, which is best for the students?

In this blog, we will take the opportunity to highlight the differences between personalized learning and traditional learning, in addition to weighing the pros and cons of each and how personalized versus traditional educations affect the students' learning experiences. This will help you, as a parent, distinguish your child's unique needs and, with this information, make a sound decision regarding their education.

What is Traditional Learning?

Teacher-oriented learning, popularly known as traditional learning, has been in use for centuries. The teacher is the main person in the classroom, teaching all students at the same time. Focus lies on the syllabus, with all students seemingly expected to have the same schedule and content regardless of their own strengths, weaknesses, or interests.

Traditionally, its main features are:

• Fixed Curriculum: Every student is taught the same curriculum at the same speed, and progress is estimated with the help of a standardised test.
  
   
• Teacher-Centric: Teachers move through the instructional process by explaining some concepts and assigning the work.
  
   
• Classroom Environment: Students are placed by age, by grade, and follow the same timetable.
  
   
• One-size-fits-all: All students are expected to learn the same material, irrespective of their learning mode or ability.
  
   

Advantages of Traditional Learning:

• Structured Environment: Traditional classrooms offer a clear structure that is predictable for students to comprehend.
  
   
• Uniformity: A standardised curriculum enables every student to study the same material, an important aspect for standardised tests and major educational policies.
  
   
• Teacher Expertise: Teachers usually have expertise in their subject areas and can guide students with insights and support.
  
   
• Clear Guidelines: Traditional classrooms generally uphold behaviour and performance standards, therefore promoting students' focus on learning.
  
   

Disadvantages of Traditional Learning:

• Little Individualisation: It is often difficult to meet the various needs of students in the traditional classroom, especially those who may be struggling or excelling.
  
   
• Inflexibility: Students who require extra time to fathom a concept or those possessing different learning styles can find it challenging to keep pace.
  
   
• Passive Learning: The person who teaches is at the front of the class, while students become passive learners, just soaking up information instead of actively engaging with it.
  
   
• One-size-fits-all: A concept may not apply to every child, as a student has their own learning styles, timeline, and interests.
  
   

What is Personalized Learning?

Personalized learning is a method of instructing each student based on the needs, skills, and interests specific to that student; it emphasizes the student's perspective in the design of his or her learning experience in the learning endeavor. Concerning the traditional curriculum, the learning environments are personalized such that students learn according to their own pace with support from a teacher through the attainment of their own sets of learning outcomes.

Essential Characteristics of Personalized Learning:

• Customized Curriculum: Lessons are individually tailored to meet students' needs, thus allowing them to ensure progress in their studies at their own pace.
  
   
• Student-Centric: Students have more say in their learning experience, ranging from the what to the when of their study.
  
   
• Flexible Study Settings: Students can choose from varied learning options like digital platforms, interactive classes, and self-study.
  
   
• Regular Formative Assessments: The students' achievements are frequently evaluated to make sure they're making progress and getting necessary help from teachers when it matters.
  
   

Advantages of Personalized Learning:

• Individualized Instruction: Instruction given to each student takes into consideration his or her learning style, strengths, and weaknesses.
  
   
• Pacing Flexibility: Learning at an individualized rhythm allows students to spend time on difficult concepts while cruising through areas they already know.
  
   
• Higher Engagement: Personalization can lead to greater student engagement by concentrating on a student's interests and strengths.
  
   
• Fosters Independence: Students become more responsible for their learning, which can only aid them in developing skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-management.
  
   
• Provides Better Support for Struggling Students: Teachers can offer extra support in situations where personalized learning exists for students who struggle or who are falling behind.
  
   

Disadvantages of Personalized Learning:

• Heavier Workload for Teachers: Teachers need to spend more time preparing individual lessons, which can be overwhelming, especially in large classes.
  
   
• Not Structured: For some students, working independently without a framework may leave them disoriented or disengaged.
  
   
• Resource-Intensive: Due to the possibly large number of resource implications required for the effective operation of personalized learning, these would include technology, small class sizes, and additional teachers or teaching assistants.
  
   
• Requires Strong Motivation: A level of motivation and self-discipline is needed for a user to effectively participate in the personalized learning environment; in the absence of this motivation, some children will find it difficult.
  
   

Contrasting Personalized Learning with Conventional Learning

Understanding how these two educational approaches differ calls for a closer look at just a few key elements:

1. Student Engagement

• Traditional learning: Students are passive receivers of information from the teacher. This often leads to disengagement, especially if students find the material rather uninteresting.
  
   
• Personalized Learning: Student learning is active; decision-making is a major part of what the student undertakes. This often leads to engagement, as students are then learning content that interests them and committing to relevant applications of tasks that suit them.
  
   

2. Pace

• Traditional Learning: Every student learns at the same pace, which can be tough for those who either struggle to catch up with the pace or finish the task ahead of the established time.
  
   
• Personalized Learning: Individual pacing of students is a major feature of their learning. Therefore, students can spend more time on topics that they find difficult to understand and skip ahead if they comprehend content with ease.
  
   

3. Teacher's Role

• Traditional Learning: The teacher remains the main authority, determining how the lesson is run and what expectations are set for the entire class.
  
   
• Personalized Learning: The teacher now takes on the role of a facilitator, guiding the learning pathway of students as they individually learn and giving any support needed.
  
   

4. Student Autonomy

• Traditional Learning: Teachers or the curriculum usually dictate the timetable for the de-facto decision-making that goes in the learning process, and students confront the learning.
  
   
• Personalized Learning: Under these conditions, students can take the liberty of deciding how their learning activities are built; they then pursue learning activities through various means and select related pedagogic processes according to their interests and particular circumstances.
  
   

5. Flexibility

• Traditional learning: The structure is dictated by a fixed timetable and curriculum that all students must work through.
  
   
• Personalized Learning: Another more flexible paradigm provides choices with regard to scheduling, pacing, and learning methods, providing students with more input in aligning their education to their needs and interests.
  
   

What Works Best for Students?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this question. Both personalized and traditional learning each have their strengths and weaknesses. The ideal way will depend on the child: their learning style, personality, and educational need. Some kids do well in a structured, teacher-focused environment, while others may do very well with the flexibility and freedom of personalized learning.

When Traditional Learning Works Best:

• Students who thrive on routine and structure: Some children excel working in predictable streams, schedules, and curricula.
  
   
• Students who need more direct instruction: Some children find it difficult to work independently and benefit from teacher guidance.
  
   
• Students who shine in group settings: Traditional classrooms promote collaboration and social learning for those who prefer that.
  
   

When Personalized Learning Works Best:

• Students who need to work at their own pace: Children who are behind can benefit from personalized learning since they can take additional time to consolidate difficult concepts.
  
   
• Students with particular interests: Individualised learning enables students to pursue subjects that interest them and find ways to increase their engagement and motivation.
  
   
• Self-motivated Students: Independent learners often enjoy investigating questions ‘out there’ alone, and may flourish in a more personalised environment.
  
   

Conclusion

Personalised learning is as good as traditional learning—what may be best for your child depends on specific needs. The truth is that typical learning has structural patterns and relates to accountability; personalised learning offers a lot of flexibility and a more personalised approach to learning. As such, the airing of the child's learning style will give a clear picture of which option the students will need, and the ideal discussion on the options with school teachers will be the best environment.

Learn more tips on supporting your child's education and creating a love for learning by visiting Skoodos. Skoodos contains resources and tips to make your parenting journey rich with your child’s educational needs.

FAQs

1. What are the key differences between traditional and personalised learning?

Traditional learning consists of a prescribed curriculum imparted by a teacher to the entire class, whereas personalised learning modifies teaching into a tailor-made lesson that is individualised to fit each student's personal requirements and pace.

2. How can I determine if personalised learning will work for my child?

It is usually a good option for those with specific learning needs or are unable or having difficulty in coping with a conventional classroom. Such would include students who flourish in dictating the pace of learning by themselves.

3. Does personalised learning work in a really big classroom?

Though personalised learning would become quite difficult in a really big classroom, as it would require more individualised attention; with the appropriate resources and development, it could be implemented very well.

4. Is traditional learning out of date?

Traditional learning still works for many students, especially those who need a structured environment, while personalised learning promotes flexibility and works better for students with different needs.

5. How can I help my child with personal education?

Encourage the child to make a goal, explore their interests, and take ownership of his/her learning process: Monitor progress and provide support as necessary.