In the late nineteenth century, surgeon William Stewart Halsted used a unique teaching method at Johns Hopkins University’s surgical residency program. Under this program, medical students learned by watching surgical techniques, then performed them and once they became adept, they went on to teach others. This method embodied the ‘learning by doing’ tenet as well as the oft-discussed “each one teaches one” philosophy.

“Modern pedagogies have evolved today to encompass personalized and collaborative teaching methods. Traditional, passive, and non-interactive models have now been rendered obsolete when it comes to serving the needs of diverse learners, ” said Dominic Tomalin, Founding Headmaster of Shrewsbury International School, India.

In this context, residential schools in particular benefit students because they not only focus on ‘whole person’ education within the classroom but also have mentorship programs and personalized academic modules.  These enable students to work on their weaknesses and polish their strengths post-school hours. Dominic said, “This personalized system is very close to one-on-one teaching modules that enable students to learn faster”. 

He also elucidates some of the advantages of this system:

Increase in positive engagement:

Personal attention and one-on-one teaching encourage students to actively engage with the learning process. The quality of interaction in such an environment is far superior as the learner and educator are on the same wavelength. Students are free to ask questions, clear their doubts, and seek help to overcome difficulties and bridge learning gaps. This level of focused attention is not possible in overcrowded classrooms where students with specific needs can fall behind. 

Constructive feedback:

In a one-size-fits-all system, it is not possible for educators to give feedback to every student in a short period or to monitor their progress quickly. However, during personalized sessions, students receive constructive assessment and teachers can also gauge which areas need more attention. This then helps students to address learning problems quickly, improve study skills, and prepare better for examinations.

Bespoke teaching and open communication

Modern education initiates bespoke teaching where learning materials are tailored to match the needs of the student. Modern educators are realising that every student has a unique learning style and they must meet a pupil halfway and create a channel of open communication. When students learn at their own pace and are taught in a way that matches their aptitude, they enjoy the academic process a lot more. This joy can also lead them to become lifelong learners and engage in self-directed study with enthusiasm.

Increased confidence:

Personalized teaching emboldens self-expression in students, builds their confidence, and mitigates the pressure of competing with other students. It builds life skills like active listening, creativity, effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management. In such a nurturing and appreciative environment, students get the time and space to realize their full potential.   

Encourages holistic development:

In a far cry from the impersonal environment of a conventional classroom where only grades define merit, modern pedagogies, and one-to-one teaching encourage the holistic development of a student. While addressing the student’s academic needs, the personalized modules also focus on a student’s intellectual, social, creative, emotional, and moral development. The goal of modern education hence is to create not just academic achievers but fulfilled individuals who can also contribute positively to society.

About the author- Dominic Tomalin, Founding Headmaster of Shrewsbury International School, India