Differentiation and personalised learning for SEN pupils

Differentiation and personalised learning are strategies for ensuring that pupils with special educational needs (SEN) can access the curriculum in the right way and achieve their potential.

• Differentiation involves tailoring teaching methods, resources and assessment to meet the abilities, interests and learning styles of different groups of learners to achieve common learning goals.
• Personalised learning goes a step further by focusing on the individual learner’s strengths, weaknesses and preferences for a customised approach to education that emphasises learner participation.

A mosaic of strategies

When using differentiated instruction for SEN pupils, teachers might adjust the pace of teaching, provide alternative materials or use teaching techniques that cater to different needs.

For example, a teacher can differentiate or modify the learning process in different ways:

1. Environment: noise, seating, light levels, proximity to the teacher;
2. Content: summaries, visual cues;
3. Process: listening, reading, activities, diagrams;
4. Assessment: modifying methods but not criteria.

Learning paths for each pupil

The standard of personalised learning for SEN pupils is the individualised education plan (IEP). This is a written document prepared for a specific pupil that specifies their learning objectives over a set period of time and the accommodations, support strategies and assistive technologies they might require.

Pupils with dyslexia can struggle with literacy, and this can put them at risk of exclusion. The iRead project aims to develop personalised learning technologies to support reading skills. Its learning software combines personalised learning applications and teaching tools for formative assessment.

Supported by the Accelerator Programme of the European Digital Education Hub, Scoolsy is a platform for personalised learning management created by teachers. It offers an easy tool to create individual learning plans and enables teachers to track individual progress.

Tailoring teaching through individualised goals, varied teaching methods and appropriate resources helps to improve academic outcomes and promotes confidence and independence in SEN pupils. Embracing these approaches ensures that all pupils have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential in a supportive and understanding setting.