We’re diving into personalised learning, what it really means, why it matters, real examples, the key stages involved, and how to bring it to life at work.
Let’s face it. Learning isn’t one size fits all. We all have different goals, preferences, and ways we absorb information.
Personalised learning puts people in control. It lets each learner shape their own experience, so it fits them, not the other way around.
Keep reading to learn:
- What personalised learning actually means
- The benefits it brings
- Real-world examples in action
- How to support personalised learning in your organisation
- The latest personalised learning technologies and tools
Ready? Let’s get into it.
What does personalised learning mean?
Personalised learning is tailoring the learning experience to each individual. It focuses on learners’ differences, their strengths, goals and preferred ways of learning.
Instead of forcing everyone to do the same learning, it lets learners choose what to focus on, how to learn it and when.
So that means learning in lots of different ways. It might be reading an article, watching a video, having a mentor guide them through challenges, or they may prefer hands-on practice.
The core idea is learning that fits around you.
Personalised learning is flexible, relevant, and learner-centred. When people own their learning, they’re more motivated and get better results.
The benefits of personalised learning
People juggle a lot. Work, life, new tech, changing roles.
Learning needs to keep up, not hold people back.
Did you know that over 75% of adult learners report higher motivation when training is tailored to their goals and pace? You can’t deny those stats.
Here’s why personalised learning is becoming the go-to approach:
Fits around real life
Learning happens on the learner’s schedule, not the other way round.
Boosts engagement
When people learn what matters most to them, they care more.
Related: How to measure learner engagement to understand your impact
Improves outcomes
Personalised learning means new skills stick better and get used to quicker.
Builds confidence
Choosing what to learn encourages deeper understanding and problem-solving.
Supports career growth
It helps learners build the skills they really need to progress.
If these benefits were not enough, research even shows that personalised learning improves knowledge retention and satisfaction compared to traditional approaches.
Related: Learn how to combat the learning curve using learning retention strategies
Real-world examples of personalised learning
Let’s make this concrete. Imagine Alex, who wants to improve communication skills to better collaborate with their team.
Instead of being assigned a generic course, Alex picks from resources like podcasts, articles, and short workshops focused on communication styles.
Or think about Jamie, who’s keen on digital skills.
Jamie chooses a learning path that includes interactive tutorials, real projects, and peer feedback, all tailored to their level and goals.
Both Alex and Jamie get exactly what they need, no more, no less.
Personalised learning helps people focus on what truly matters for their growth.
The 5 key stages of personalised learning
Personalised learning isn’t random.
There are 5 key stages, which include gathering insights, curating diverse content and enabling learning choice that help make it successful.
It follows a thoughtful process:
Gather learner insights
Understand each person’s skills, preferences, goals, and learning style through surveys, conversations, or observations.
Curate diverse content
Provide a mix of learning options: videos, articles, discussions, hands-on activities – that appeal to different preferences.
Enable learner choice within a structure
Offer clear pathways but allow flexibility for learners to pick topics and pace within those.
Support through coaching and feedback
Managers or mentors help learners set goals, reflect on progress, and overcome obstacles.
Embed learning into everyday work
Encourage learners to apply what they’ve learned regularly and celebrate their achievements.
How to support personalised learning at work
Ready to make personalised learning part of your culture? There are lots of ways to do this and these practical steps will help you:
Start with learner insights
Get to know what each employee wants and needs. This helps make learning relevant.
Curate and recommend varied content
Use your tools and platforms to provide options that suit different learning styles. This flexibility will help your learners flourish.
Balance choice and guidance
Let people choose, but within frameworks aligned with organisational goals. This ensures everyone is on the same page and can learn in their way, but within the same structure.
Train managers to coach
Equip leaders to support learning journeys actively. Celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small. It makes an impact when it comes to motivation.
Make learning part of the daily routine
Encourage regular reflection and recognise progress publicly. This shows the importance of learning and that it leads to positive outcomes.
💡 Pro Tip
What if your development perfectly fit you? AI in personalised learning can take it to the next level. Learning is shaped by your style, progress, and skills.
Take a look at how
Personalised learning technologies and tools: the future of workplace learning
Technology plays a huge role in making personalised learning possible.
Modern learning management systems offer features that personalise training at scale.
Here’s how personalised learning tech makes a difference:
Adaptive learning algorithms
These smart systems analyse learner behaviour and performance to suggest tailored content. That means learners get what they need next, with no irrelevant modules or overload.
Custom learning pathways
Technology lets organisations build clear learning journeys that employees can personalise with their own choices and goals.
Diverse content delivery
From videos and podcasts to interactive simulations and quizzes, technology supports multiple learning styles, making it easier to engage different learners.
Mobile learning
Learning anytime, anywhere is vital today. Mobile-friendly platforms mean employees can pick up training on the go, during commutes, breaks, or remote work.
Real-time feedback and analytics
Managers and learners get instant insight into progress, making coaching more effective and helping learners stay on track.
Social and collaborative features
Discussion boards, peer reviews, and group projects cultivate a community learning vibe, which is proven to boost retention and motivation.
Related: What learning motivation is and how an LMS can help you achieve better learning results
Investing in personalised learning technologies is not just about convenience. It is about empowering employees to learn effectively, improve skills, and adapt fast, all critical in today’s fast-paced workplaces.
How BuildEmpire supports personalised learning
BuildEmpire’s platform is designed to support personalised learning journeys with custom pathways tailored to individual goals, a range of content formats including videos, quizzes, and interactive modules, smart recommendations based on progress and preferences, and manager dashboards to track and support development.
Whether you’re cultivating self-driven learning or guided development, BuildEmpire’s got you covered.
Ready to personalise your learners’ experience?
Personalised learning helps people grow in ways that fit them, and that benefits your whole organisation.
Want to see how it works? Book a demo today and explore the possibilities.