Individualized Education: An Academic Approach Tailored for Success

Learning takes many forms throughout a person’s life; whether it be in an academic setting, a requirement for a profession or simply out of interest in a topic, learning is an everyday occurrence for many people.

In some instances, learning is a task that takes focus and more meaningful and thoughtful instruction. Many students need teachers to individualize content before it makes sense. With that said, there are useful approaches for guiding students toward making their own decision to learn – thus, putting the choice into their hands to increase interest in the process and maximize academic outcomes.

One vital element to students individualizing their learning experience is helping them expand their scope with the use of real-world opportunities. While our primary function as educators is to guide our students toward comprehension and growth, it’s also important to teach the significance of cathartic life lessons – taking risks, handling failure, experiencing compassion – and the impactful takeaway that students have when facing these situations. Not only does this help students build important life skills, it can also connect them with others and potentially enhance their relationship with the subject matter.

Another benefit to incorporating real-world lessons into the classroom is how it reveals the larger picture for students, helping them understand societal intricacies outside of school or after graduation. During the school year, students spend most of their week in a school setting, so separating themselves from the day-to-day can be challenging. At Great Lakes Learning Academy, a fully online school, having this approach is key as it allows students the freedom to pursue other hobbies or interests, thereby optimizing their learning experience. Hopefully, students walk away realizing that school isn’t their entire life, but a part of their life, albeit an important one.

While real-world integration is key for demonstrating to students that there is more to learning than algebra or the periodic table, the decisions made by the instructor also have crucial influence. The truth is that there is no one path to academic success, and every student can and will approach challenges differently. Good instructors know this and foster an environment where different methods and out-of-the-box thinking is welcomed, helping students both accomplish their task and learn what works best for them to achieve at the highest potential.

Another essential classroom consideration for when students personalize their education is to attach current events and relevant information onto the learning experience. Due to our seemingly endless connectivity to digital media, students are constantly exposed to global news updates covering everything from sports and pop culture to war and political affairs. By providing students the opportunity to explore these topics and how they relate to the subject at hand, they can choose their own way to absorb the information through a medium of their interest.

Sometimes learning feels like it can be too hard or take too long. As educators, it’s important to find ways to make learning more engaging, effective and fun – helping students develop healthy, lifelong relationships with the process on their own terms.

Dan McMinn is Executive Director of Great Lakes Learning Academy, a tuition-free, public online school serving students in grades 6-12 across Michigan.