Not Personalised Learning!

The UK’s Teacher’s TV is advertsing a programme called Personalised Learning and Pupil Data – Secondary scheduled in May and June. The synopsis reads:

Personalised Learning and Pupil Data – Secondary

Synopsis
Hemsworth Arts and Community College near Pontefract uses pupil data as the foundation of its personalised learning programme for students.

Maths teacher Kate Roche demonstrates how she uses a traffic light system in the classroom to keep herself and pupils informed of their progress. This formal and informal data is then used to mould her lesson planning.

The schools data manager keeps records constantly updated on the internal computer database. The head of maths and the assistant principal analyse the data to evaluate the Year 11 students, identifying pupils to meet with the headteacher for a pat on the back or for further encouragement.

Integral to the school’s personalised learning programme is the involvement of parents, who are invited into school regularly with their children to discuss progress.

Published: 26 May 2008

 PEN Comment: Can we just reassure readers that this is nothing to do with Personalised education and learning as we see it! This kind of approach is symptomatic of the government view of personalisation. This is essentially customisation and tailoring of the current offer. It is not concerned with choice, self managed learning or deep learning, its the same old tired schooled curriculum and assessments wrapped up in a new cover.