Opportunities for personalised learning: enabling or overwhelming?

This paper evaluates the development of a personalised learning approach within a professional
distance learning course. The issues arising are of relevance to academics engaged in course
development, with an emphasis on fostering independent learning. The course focuses on
enabling student teachers to develop their generic skills, attributes and knowledge through
reflective practice. The current course differs from the previous model through its emphasis on
a question-led approach in which students are encouraged to identify and respond to their own
learning needs in independent ways. Student evaluations and contributions at the course midpoint
suggest that, while most are engaged with the notion of being an independent learner,
some students are challenged by this expectation. This in turn raises questions about
the concept of personalised learning.

Citation:
Read, A., Hurford, D. (2008) ‘Opportunities for personalised learning: enabling or overwhelming?’ Practitioner Research in Higher Education, 2 (1) pp.43- 50..