Personalising Learning – what still needs to change?

Our research reveals a consistent pattern of issues that need to be faced if we are to really offer personalised learning - in the struggles of providers with the qualifications system ; in the absence of understanding and use of RPL for learners at work; in First Steps learning being characterised as a ‘bottom end’ funding stream rather than a learning experience for all tentatively starting again (see the First Steps report); in the failure of curriculum and qualifications to reach those without them; in patchy IAG services; in a lack of systematic ongoing review of progress and achievement. 

 Progress has been made on each of these fronts but there is much left to do.

 We recommended a simple set of learner entitlements for adult learners in Foundation Learning in 2006.  However we believe these entitlements should be extended to all learners, to learning at any level, whether learners pay for their learning or not.

All learners should be entitled to:

  • Personalised choice - including using QCF units to design and compose programmes and qualifications to enable learners to pursue learning and achievements according to their abilities and interests.
  • A personalised experience of learning - learning in ways which suits the learner’s preferred learning style, and promotes personal ownership, autonomy and control of their learning and achievement.
  • Recognition of achievement and access to units and qualifications in the QCF at the start of their learning journey. All achievements must have currency and validity and count towards qualifications in the QCF.
  • Access to a coherent curriculum which develops and integrates literacy and numeracy and ICT; personal and social development learning which ‘unblocks’ obstacles to progression; vocational and subject learning which provides skills and knowledge for employability. 
  • Everything we do (and why we do it) is driven by the belief that adult learners should have the right to learn like adults. All our work is focussed on getting the best from the system - including best value for money - for learners and employers.