jaclyn b. stevens
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • RESOURCES
    • Bringing PD to life with AR
    • Coaching Digital Learning - Defining Your Superpower
    • Cultivating Excellence
    • Erasing the Line | SAMR Model
    • No More Eye Candy
  • Contact

Learner Agency: Pushing the Boundaries of Educational Possibilities in the Digital Age

2/22/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
The concept of learner agency has been integral to educational thinking and practice since the beginning: the idea that “education is the process through which learners become capable of independent thought which, in turn, forms the basis for autonomous action”, has had a profound impact on modern educational theory and practice (Trend 1: core-ed.org). Yet, lately, when I have been using the term ‘Learner Agency’ in professional development sessions and in my conversations with educators and leaders, I get the sense that they are not quite sure about how to move from talking about it to actual action.

What is it... really?

“The notion of agency as contributing to cognitive processes involved in learning comes primarily from the Piagetian notion of constructivism where knowledge is seen as “constructed” through a process of taking actions in one’s environment and making adjustments to existing knowledge structures based on the outcome of those actions. The implication is that the most transformative learning experiences will be those that are directed by the learner’s own endeavors and curiosities.” (Lindgren & McDaniel, 2012)

Another way of thinking of learner agency is when learners have “the power to act” - when learning involves activity and initiative on the part of the learner themselves, and not just the teacher, curriculum, and/or resources, etc. Consider concepts such as personalization and learn-centric or learner-centered education: these are aspects of what we might mean by learner agency, but it even goes deeper than that! 
Picture
Schwartz and Okita developed the following table to compare and contrast high versus low agency learning environments.Explore it in depth in their blog post, “Learner Agency, Technology and Emotional Intelligence.

​
​Now let’s compare the table above with the 
North Carolina Digital Learning Plan’s Digital Age Education Model comparison.
Picture
Overall there is a sense of independence and responsibility on the part of the learner: the opportunity to have choice and voice in planning, implementation, and assessment.

Making Learner Agency a Reality for our Students
Involving the learners in the decision-making is a must. These decisions will place more ownership and empowerment on the part of students. Teachers must become comfortable with changing their leadership style from directive to consultative -- from "Do as I say" to "Based on your needs, let's co-develop and implement a plan of action together."

Focus on...
  • Placing students at the center of their own learning requires their collaboration. They need a voice in why, what, and how learning experiences take shape.
  • Letting student interests drive the content that teaches skills and concepts.
  • Offering a variety of product options based on what you know about your students.
  • Having faith in students’ ability to lead. Give students the chance to take charge of activities, even when they may not quite have all the content skills.

Meaningful change must begin with active student involvement. Advocacy, choice, and voice should occur in the classroom as well as in any learning environment. Relevance and value on the part of our learners are central elements to success.
To learn more about Learner Agency, strategies and innovative models and approaches for personalized, blended and digital teaching and learning to build capacity, develop leadership, facilitate strategic planning, and coach educators, enroll in a Friday Institute Professional Learning Program today! 

Go to https://ncdli.fi.ncsu.edu/pd/fi/ for ongoing, job-embedded, relevant and valuable cohort learning opportunities for district and school leadership, instructional coaches and educators.
Picture
1 Comment
Karl Schaefer link
9/25/2019 10:54:12 am

Like how you have framed this and will use some of the information for a presentation I am doing on Learner Agency for NCAIS in October.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Jaclyn coaches and assists  K-12 educators, ITFs, and Administrators to adapt, not adopt –  fostering digital initiatives to transform professional learning through changes in pedagogical shifts and meeting the needs of all learners to champion creativity and innovation. @jaclynbstevens

    Categories

    All
    Change Management
    Coaching
    Cool Stuff
    Covid 19
    Covid-19
    Culture
    Digital Citizenship
    Distance Learning
    Ed Tech Coaches
    Events
    ISTE
    Leaner-centered
    Learner Agency
    Reflection
    Relationships
    Remote Learning
    Resources And Tools
    SAMR
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Virtual Learning
    Virtual Reality

    Archives

    September 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    June 2019
    March 2019
    October 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

    RSS Feed


​jaclynbstevens.com
​@jaclynbstevens


​jaclynbstevens@gmail.com

​919.802.4034 (m)
​919.513.8515 (w)
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • RESOURCES
    • Bringing PD to life with AR
    • Coaching Digital Learning - Defining Your Superpower
    • Cultivating Excellence
    • Erasing the Line | SAMR Model
    • No More Eye Candy
  • Contact