What is individual in individualised instruction? Five storylines of meeting individual needs at school. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rytivaara, Anna; Vehkakoski, Tanja
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 73(2015)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: Individualisation -- Individual needs -- Instruction -- Stories -- Special education; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2015.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Highlights: Students individual needs were paralleled by their special education needs. Individualisation was experienced as either a possibility, necessity or threat. Individualisation was approached through either a social or cognitive perspective. Effective individualisation requires more collaboration between home and school. Abstract: The purpose of this narrative case study was to examine the meanings and practices of individualised instruction narrated by two seventh-grade Finnish pupils with mild learning difficulties, their mothers, their special education teacher and researchers. The data comprise narrative interviews and field notes. The analysis showed that the narrators had various, even conflicting, experiences of individualisation, which was narrated through five storylines: individual needs as difficulties and limitations; individualisation as the ideal principle for inclusive education; individualisation as a bureaucratic procedure; individualised instruction as making room for emotions, and individualised instruction as nothing special. These storylines constructed individualised education as an ideal and eligible pedagogical practice in principle but challenging to properly implement in practice.