This year I have pushed the idea of learner agency in my classroom, and subsequently learner agency has become one of the key aspects that I consider when designing learning tasks. Core Education does a great job of explaining the concept of learner agency:
“One way of thinking of learner agency is when learners have “the power to act”. Agency is when learning involves the activity and the initiative of the learner, more than the inputs that are transmitted to the learner from the teacher, from the curriculum, the resources and so forth. In the past our schools have catered mostly for groups of learners, for classes of kids, with a one size fits all approach. Arguably, many students felt disenfranchised in the midst of that, as they just had to sit and do what they were told. Lessons were delivered to students who were passive in the way that they received that. When learners move from being passive recipients to being much more active in the learning process, actively involved in the decisions about the learning, then they have greater agency.” (Core-ed.org).
Last week it was great to host a Twitter chat on learner agency, and those involved shared some valuable ideas. Below are the questions and some of the discussions from the chat:
Question 1: What does learner agency mean to you?
Agency=ownership of learning. The ability to know what to do when stuck #mlpchat
— Tom Littlejohn (@tom_littlejohn) November 18, 2015
A1 involved in learning process, not just a vessel waiting to be filled #mlpchat — Melinda Bolton (@melindabolton) November 18, 2015
A1 Giving Ss the privilege & responsibility to learn in ways that suit them. #mlpchat
— Jim Windisch (@TeacherWithTuba) November 18, 2015
Students have a choice in what and how they learn, and how they present it, and have a voice in the assessment #mlpchat — Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
When students have agency in the assessment they have to think about what the learning will look like @samgibson1983#mlpchat
— Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
@beechEdesignz I think having a voice in assessment is a huge part of S agency, but it’s a hard shift to make. #mlpchat
— Jim Windisch (@TeacherWithTuba) November 18, 2015
#mlpchat giving learners choice around their learning, support to make these choices and then space to soar or, maybe even to fall… — Paula Wine (@PaulaWinenz) November 18, 2015
Question 2: Is learner agency integral to modern learning practice? Why/Why not?
A2 Yes, because we want to create flexible, self-directed learners for life. Must have agency to do that! #mlpchat — Jim Windisch (@TeacherWithTuba) November 18, 2015
@samgibson1983 @TeacherWithTuba Can be a hard mindset to break #mlpchat
— Nixon Eagle (@nixoneagle) November 18, 2015
A2 it is not integral it is mandatory! #mlpchat
— Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
A2 LA also needed to make sure individualised learning isn’t micro managing for a harried teacher with no real hope of keeping up #mlpchat — Nixon Eagle (@nixoneagle) November 18, 2015
Question 3: In what ways do you encourage learner agency in your classroom?
A3 we have started a passion hour, prior we discussed how to learn, and what to do when stuck. Ss have started design websites #mlpchat
— Tom Littlejohn (@tom_littlejohn) November 18, 2015
A3 Making the time for more individual conferencing my work on at the moment. Chicken & egg a little though with agency ability #mlpchat — Nixon Eagle (@nixoneagle) November 18, 2015
Conferencing is a powerful tool that enables student agency #mlpchat https://t.co/XZ6FKRFNdH
— Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
I agree @nixoneagle need to have coach along the side, not to rescue, but just in time scaffolding and helping the learner develop skills. — Paula Wine (@PaulaWinenz) November 18, 2015
Question 4: Why do you think some students struggle to ‘own’ their learning?
A4 I think, partly, they have never been asked before. And we certainly haven’t taught them how to #mlpchat
— Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
A4 they’re not used to it, they have been told what to do and when, asking why has not been encouraged #mlpchat — Melinda Bolton (@melindabolton) November 18, 2015
A4 Learners who have been micromanaged by teachers, parents, will not have had the opportunity to think for themselves. #mlpchat
— Paula Wine (@PaulaWinenz) November 18, 2015
A4 taught helplessness is hard to change, some kids just want and are used to being told what to do #mlpchat — Tom Littlejohn (@tom_littlejohn) November 18, 2015
#mlpchat A4 fear? lack of ‘grit’ or perhaps the thinking skills 2 b comfortable being immersed before pursuing a chosen line/s of thinking?
— Kat B. Liu-Asomua (@asomuakat) November 18, 2015
A4 if they own their own learning then they take responsibility. This can be difficult for those that like to blame others. #mlpchat — Glenys Hanley (@GlenysHanley) November 18, 2015
A4 we need to communicate with our learners and our community about the ‘why’ around student agency. #mlpchat
— Paula Wine (@PaulaWinenz) November 18, 2015
A4 Feel some hangs on Managing Self Have we been doing it justice? It’s more than putting your bag on a hook and remembering togs #mlpchat — Nixon Eagle (@nixoneagle) November 18, 2015
@samgibson1983 #mlpchat A4 The kids may never have been exposed to the concept of ownership. I agree it will take time
— Amish Mathew (@AmishMathew) November 18, 2015
We also have to explain about what is and what is not homework if we want real student agency #mlpchat — Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
@samgibson1983 A4: Mostly because of lack of personal connect with the topic. Anything superficial can never be owned in learning. #mlpchat
— Jangal Nara (@iCoder1978) November 18, 2015
@PaulaWinenz unfortunately I think credits is the incentive. This needs to change. We need to focus on learning in the 21st C! #mlpchat — Tomorrow’s Learners (@samgibson1983) November 18, 2015
Question 5: How does learner agency prepare students for the future?
A5 In the students future they will need to take responsibility for themselves. This is also about empowering democracy #mlpchat
— Terry Beech (@beechEdesignz) November 18, 2015
A5: fundamental to become an self directed learner / long life learner. #mlpchat
— Patricia Whitmore (@patizbd) November 18, 2015
A5 The future is changeable, unpredictable, no one will be there to spoon feed. Let’s equip students with skills for the future #mlpchat
— Paula Wine (@PaulaWinenz) November 18, 2015
@samgibson1983#mlpchat A5 I feel it’s to do with personal agency- a self belief that the agency is under my control and will yield results — Amish Mathew (@AmishMathew) November 18, 2015
Final Thoughts.
It was great to see so many educators valuing the idea of learner agency and hearing about the great things that are happening to promote learner agency in various classrooms. I personally came away from the chat thinking that I need to do more in terms of incorporating learner agency into assessment tasks. If implemented correctly, this could be a really powerful way of enhancing student learning. Thanks to all those that participated in the #mlpchat. As a flow-on from leaner agency, the topic of the next chat will be: The role of self-directed learning in modern learning practice. This will take place on Wednesday the 2nd of December at 8pm (NZ time). This will also be the last chat for a while before the new school year starts in 2016. Will be great to see you all their again and hopefully some newbies! Questions for the chat are below:
Topic: The role of self-directed learning in modern learning practice.
Question 1: What does self-directed learning mean to you?
Question 2: What makes self-directed learning advantageous compared to traditional learning?
Question 3: What do teacher need to put in place to make self-directed learning successful?
Question 4: What are some barriers to creating a self-directed learning environment for your students?
Question 5: What do you do to promote self-directed learning?
References: Core-ed.org,. ‘Trend 1: Learner Agency | CORE Education’. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.
