Ask the student what will help and consider a learner profile
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Identifying needs and strengths, and accessing support’
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On this page:
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Go to top of current page: Ask the student what will help
Go to top of current page: Ask the student what will help
Ask what helps
Ask what helps
Dulcie uses her learner profile to make recommendations to teachers about what they can do to support her learning.
What to include in a learner profile
What to include in a learner profile
Discuss with the student and their whānau 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
Maximise the benefits of a learner profile
Maximise the benefits of a learner profile
Encourage students to:
- express aspirations and passions
- address assumptions
- identify potential barriers to learning and wellbeing
- describe their accessibility and technology needs and preferences
- suggest beneficial teaching and learning approaches.
Let students personalise learner profiles
Let students personalise learner profiles
A learner profile is created by students and whānau.
Students can choose to present information in any media.
Utilise digital technologies
Utilise digital technologies
Dulcie, an 11-year-old with low vision, used PowerPoint to create her learner profile.
As it's digital, it is easy to adjust and add to. Find out how it was developed in this blog post.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Student develops technology and self-advocacy skills while learning about her visual needs
Publisher: BLENNZ: Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ

Developing learner profiles
Read time: 3 min
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Download PDF (211 KB)

Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Identify needs and how to provide support”:
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Current page Ask the student what will help
Return to the guide “Low vision and learning”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Low vision and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
- Ask the student what will help
- Partner with whānau
- Assessment and monitoring
- Organisations, programmes and resources
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Key areas to supportShow suggestions for Key areas to support
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13