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Date
29 October 2025
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/technology-tools-for-learning/identify-learner-needs

Identify learner needs

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Reduce barriers to learning’

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Ask what helps

Ask what helps

Learners may not know what helps them. Meet with them. Discuss possible barriers to learning and options for support.

11751 [DSC-0200.jpg]

Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Source:
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

View full image (2 MB) (opens in a new tab/window)

Checklist for knowing learners

Checklist for knowing learners

Look for anything that is going to help you as you consider a range of potential tools and supports.

Consider these factors:

  • culture, language, and identity
  • environments and spaces where the learning will happen (classroom, home)
  • demographics (age group, local connections, and affiliations)
  • learning-related data
  • medical or health conditions
  • knowledge of learner preferences, abilities, and interests
  • personal connections and relationships
  • wairua, wellbeing, and moral and physical health
  • individual learner goals and aspirations.

Partner with whānau

Partner with whānau

Connect with parents, whānau, and caregivers to understand the strengths and needs of learners.

Make connections wherever you can.

  • Invite families to share approaches that are successful at home.
  • Identify potential barriers and ask families for solutions based on their personal experiences and expertise.
  • Encourage whānau to share successful tools and equipment they use at home.
  • Ask families to share a learner’s likes and interests, what they’re good at, what they need help with, and what they can do independently.

Support self-reflection

Support self-reflection

Provide learners with useful thinking opportunities to identify what is working well and where they require more support.

11753 [IMG-6182.jpg]

Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Source:
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

View full image (557 KB) (opens in a new tab/window)

Understand your students’ needs

Understand your students’ needs

Felix, a Year 5 student, explains how accessing information through video and using text-to-speech helps to make his learning easier.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/105617225

Source: Enabling e-Learning (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

View transcript

Source:
Enabling e-Learning (NZ)
https://elearning.tki.org.nz/Teaching/Inclusive-practice/Universal-Design-for-Learning/Using-an-iPad-to-support-learning

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Reduce barriers to learning”:

Return to the guide “Technology tools for learning”

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Technology tools for learning

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Technology tools for learning

Understand:

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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This is a Ministry of Education initiative​​​​​​​. We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

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