The Right Tools for the Right Learner: A Balanced Approach to Education

Education, like many things, moves through trends and fads. One year, a specific teaching style or resource is considered the gold standard, only to be replaced by another approach the next. While innovation can be beneficial, I’ve often seen this lead to unnecessary stress, wasted money, and challenges for both educators and learners. Schools invest heavily in new schemes, teachers struggle to adapt to sudden changes, and most importantly, children who don’t fit the ‘average’ mould are left out and often made to feel inadequate.

That’s why I believe in a varied and flexible approach—using different resources for different individuals. No single method or tool works for everyone, and forcing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach rarely benefits all learners. Instead, by keeping a diverse set of resources at hand, educators can adapt and personalise their teaching to suit each child's unique needs.

A Mix of Old and New

In my own teaching, I incorporate a range of resources, from classic tools that have stood the test of time to modern digital programs designed for specific learning needs. For example, I still use old-style Cuisenaire rods—the same ones my dad used over 40 years ago when he was teaching. These simple, tactile rods remain a brilliant way to develop mathematical understanding. Alongside these, I use laptops loaded with quality educational programs like IDL (for literacy, numeracy and wellbeing support) and TTRS (Touch-type Read and Spell), which help reinforce skills in an engaging and accessible way.

Some of the other resources I regularly use with my home-educated learners include:

• A printed image of an elephant in orange underpants—an amusing yet effective mnemonic to help remember the five vowels.

• A teaching clock to support time-telling skills in a hands-on way.

• Magnetic letters for spelling practice, allowing learners to manipulate letters physically rather than just writing them.

• Stile tiles, an interactive learning system that encourages problem-solving and independent learning.

By offering this variety, I can tailor lessons to suit individual needs using a multi-sensory approach.

Experience vs. Research: Trusting Educator Judgment

This next point may be controversial, given the increasing emphasis on research-based approaches in education. While research is valuable, I believe it should not be the only deciding factor when choosing resources and methods—especially when working with individuals or small groups.

Educational research is often conducted on broad populations, and its findings may not always be directly applicable to the unique children I teach. Every learner is different, with their own strengths, challenges, and preferences. As an experienced educator, I trust my professional judgment and instinct, adapting my methods based on what I see working in real-time rather than rigidly adhering to ‘evidence-based’ resources alone. Get in touch to find out more about the education services we offer for children and young people.