Ask the learner what will help
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Knowing your Pacific learners and their contexts’.
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Go to top of current page: Ask the learner what will help
Find out about students
Find out about students
Kaiako and ākonga talk about creating environments with students at the centre, where Pacific students have the focus and learning support they need.
Source: Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | The Ministry of Education
Closed Captions
Support self-advocacy with learner profiles
Support self-advocacy with learner profiles
Having students create a learner profile for themselves is a great way to have them develop a better and fuller understanding of who they are as learners ...
This develops their independence and places them in a better position to self-advocate for the tools, learning materials, and presentation options that can optimise their learning experiences.
Naryn Searcy
Source: UDL Resource (opens in a new tab/window)
Build an interactive profile of your learner
Build an interactive profile of your learner
- Important people
- Cultural connections and experiences
- Languages spoken
- Things the student is good at
- Memorable life experiences
- How they like to unwind and relax
- Likes and interests
- Dislikes and things they avoid
- How they like to learn and what helps
- Things that make it hard for them to learn
- What they do when they need help.
Innovate with getting to know your learner
Innovate with getting to know your learner
Creative alternatives to learner profiles:
1. All About Me Interviews
- One-on-one chats with a teacher or peer using simple, structured questions.
- Use visuals or yes/no prompts.
- Record answers through voice, video, or drawing:
- "What do you like at school?"
- "What helps you learn?"
2. Video Introductions / Self-Presentations
- Learners record short videos introducing themselves.
- They can show their strengths, interests, and needs.
- Great for visual and verbal expression — use prompts or interview formats.
3. Photo Collages or Vision Boards
- Learners select photos of people, places, things, or activities they like.
- Use magazines, printed photos, or digital tools (like Canva or Book Creator).
- Add labels or short captions if appropriate.
4. Learning Choice Baskets
- Use a basket or box filled with objects that represent learning preferences (e.g., headphones, timer, picture of a friend, fidget, iPad).
- The learner selects what helps them learn best.
- You can record their choices as a profile.
5. Interactive Poster or Wall Display
Create a classroom wall or board where learners can add post-its or pictures under categories:
“I feel calm when…”
“I like learning with…”
“I want to get better at…”
Let students personalise learner profiles
Let students personalise learner profiles
![6357 [Learner-profile2.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Learner-profile2__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Useful resources
Useful resources
PATH Planning
PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) is an ākonga and whānau centred approach to meeting specific learner needs.
Publisher: Interactionz
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Know your Pacific learners”:
-
Current page Ask the learner what will help
Return to the guide “Supporting Pacific learners”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Supporting ākonga Māori
Understand:
- How to use this guide
Strategies for action:
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Developing cultural capabilityShow suggestions for Developing cultural capability
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Explore Māori perspectives on inclusionShow suggestions for Explore Māori perspectives on inclusion
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Know your Māori learnersShow suggestions for Know your Māori learners
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Establish reciprocal relationshipsShow suggestions for Establish reciprocal relationships
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Build community networksShow suggestions for Build community networks
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Co-design a culturally sustaining environmentShow suggestions for Co-design a culturally sustaining environment