Studies show that teachers[1], parents and students[2] agree that the old school teaching model with an instructor lecturing to a large class with everyone expected to learn at the same pace doesn’t best serve all students.

August is Personalized Learning Month to recognize, promote and support the practice of teaching students in the way that each learns best. Learn4Life, a network of 80+ public high schools that offers personalized instruction, offers tips to engage and inspire students:

  1. Create goals for each student at the beginning of the year and revisit them often. Collaborate with the student on how to increase their productivity to reach their goals by the end of the year.
  2. Pay close attention to their learning trends. Students who begin to decline in their studies may have trouble at home or in school, and may need wraparound services, tutoring or a sympathetic ear. Students are more likely to engage when they feel seen and valued.
  3. If a student is struggling, encourage them to use their voice about the challenges and offer resources. Let them work at their own pace until they master the subject.
  4. It may not always be feasible to cater a student’s every interest based on timing and resources, but when students know their teacher wants them to succeed and has created space for them to grow, you will see increased engagement and productivity.
  5. Teachers can give all students what they need by dedicating time to one-on-one and small group instruction in the classroom. While some students are working independently, teachers can spend individual time with students who need extra help.
  6. Allow students to listen to music during their study time. Music helps improve cognitive function, boosts mood and allows the student to better focus.
  7. Create a questionnaire that asks students about their favorite things. High schoolers appreciate authenticity and value educators who know more about them than just their name.
  8. Look for opportunities to offer flexible learning such as through phones, laptops and other electronic devices. Some students learn better through online modules while others prefer to be more hands on. Create a mixture of ways to deliver the lesson to the student and allow them to choose how they want to engage with the material.
  9. Create learning stations inside or outside of your classroom focused on different topics or themes.
  10. Brain breaks are important. Allow your students to re-center themselves if needed throughout the day to adjust their focus.

Learning is not linear and every student deserves an education that meets them where they are while building confidence to achieve their life goals.

[1] A random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 high school teachers was commissioned by Learn4Life between April 5 and April 19, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

[2] A random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans — 1,000 parents of public high school students and 1,000 recent public high school graduates (ages 18 and 19) — was commissioned by Learn4Life between June 17 and June 27, 2024. It was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

Written By:
Ann Abajian
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