Personalizing Learning: A Guide to Using Learning Theory in the Classroom

Personalized learning is an approach that tailors the learning experience to the needs, preferences, and interests of each student. This guide is for teachers and other education professionals who want to use learning theory to personalize learning in their classrooms. It explains the three most influential learning theories and five practical strategies you can start using with your class.

On this page 5 sections

What personalized learning means

In a personalized classroom, instruction is shaped around the learner rather than delivered the same way to everyone. This means moving from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered one. The goal is a learning environment that:

• accommodates individual differences among students
• lets students take ownership of their learning
• uses what we know about how students learn to plan instruction

Learning theory: the foundation

Learning theory explains how students learn and what affects their learning outcomes. It is the foundation for personalized learning. There are many theories, but three have been the most influential.

Theory	Main idea	What shapes learning
Behaviorism	Learning results from conditioning and reinforcement	External factors such as rewards and punishments
Cognitivism	Learners actively process information and build knowledge	Internal mental processes
Constructivism	Learning is shaped by what learners already know and have experienced	Prior knowledge, experiences, and context

Each theory offers its own insight. An effective personalized learning approach draws on all three, because learning is a complex process that involves both external and internal factors.

Five strategies for personalizing learning

1. Assess students’ learning needs and preferences

Start by finding out what your students need. Use formal and informal assessments, such as:

• surveys
• interviews
• diagnostic tests

These can show each student’s strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, interests, and goals. Use this information to tailor your instruction.

2. Differentiate instruction

Differentiated instruction means designing lessons that meet the diverse needs of your students. You can vary three things:

• Content: offer different reading materials.
• Process: let students work in small groups or on their own.
• Product: give students more than one way to show what they understand about a topic.

3. Use technology to support personalized learning

Software and online tools can help you individualize instruction. For example:

• Adaptive learning software adjusts the difficulty of tasks based on how a student performs.
• Online discussion forums let students join discussions at their own pace and time.

Used well, these tools can raise student engagement and motivation.

4. Foster a growth mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and perseverance. It helps students overcome challenges and improve their learning. To build it:

• give feedback that focuses on effort and improvement, not fixed ability
• encourage students to set challenging goals
• celebrate their progress toward those goals

5. Give students choices

Choice and autonomy can increase engagement and motivation. You can:

• offer a variety of learning activities
• let students pick topics they want to study
• give students a say in how they show their understanding of a concept

When students feel ownership over their learning, they are more likely to invest in it.

Putting it together

Personalizing learning may require a significant change in how you teach, but it gives you a framework for addressing the different needs and preferences of your students. A simple way to begin:

1. Assess your students’ needs, interests, and goals.
2. Plan lessons that vary content, process, and product.
3. Add technology where it helps students work at their own level and pace.
4. Give feedback that builds a growth mindset.
5. Build in choices so students take ownership.

By applying learning theory and these strategies, teachers can create a student-centered classroom that supports student engagement, motivation, and success, both in school and in students’ future careers and lives.

Frequently asked questions