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Date
02 July 2025
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/supporting-pacific-learners/ask-the-student-what-will-help-and-consider-a-learner-profile

Ask the student what will help and consider a learner profile

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Knowing your Pacific learners and their contexts’.

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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.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/120408493

Source: Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | The Ministry of Education

Closed Captions

Support self-advocacy with learner profiles

Support self-advocacy with learner profiles

Create opportunities where students can tell you what supports their learning and what gets in the way.

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)

Source:
UDL Resource

What to include in a learner profile

What to include in a learner profile

Discuss with the student and their family what to include a learner profile.
  • 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

Get to know your learner over time

Get to know your learner over time

Learner profiles can help school staff build relationships with ākonga and their whānau, understand their perspectives and design learning to meet student needs. There are many creative ways to build knowledge about 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

  • Students 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

  • Students 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 student 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 students can add post-its or pictures under categories:

“I feel calm when…”

“I like learning with…”

“I want to get better at…”

Useful resources

Useful resources

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Know your Pacific learners”:

Return to the guide “Supporting Pacific learners”

11440 [Pasifika-students.jpg]

Supporting Pacific learners

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Supporting Pacific learners

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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