What on earth is Learner Agency, and why do our learners need it?

Learner Agency means that learners are in charge of their own learning, making decisions and taking responsibility. 

Even before starting school, children are natural learners, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore. They choose what to crawl towards or touch based on their own interests. This motivation to learn and understand the world is powerful, and education should recognise and nurture it! The goal is to maintain and enhance this motivation and independence, creating an environment that supports Learner Agency, encourages self-reflection, and allows for personal choices in the learning journey. 

When Learners are driven by their own curiosity and motivation, they become more than just Learners who passively receive knowledge. They become active participants who are excited about their own learning journey. Learner Agency is not just about being independent; it’s about being in charge! Self-driven learners take control by checking, correcting, and reflecting on their progress. They know their strengths and areas to improve, and their motivation comes from their own inner drive. In other words, when Learners are naturally motivated, they become aware of how they think and learn, becoming the architects of their own educational adventure.

Why should I embrace Learner Agency in my classroom?

Bringing Learner Agency to your classroom is super important because it nurtures Learners to become active participants in their education, boosting their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Learner Agency happens when learners feel CONFIDENT to:

1. Ask questions and explore their learning (like super-curious lifelong learners!)
2. Collaborate and engage with others, learning from and with them
3. Reflect on their learning so that they can
   1. think creatively
   2. be experimental and try new things
   3. keep trying and iterating until they succeed

Research has shown that Learners with agency are more engaged in school, create less disruption in class, and feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection to their school. This kind of engagement often leads to greater success in both education and future life adventures. 

You’re on board, but how can you bring Learner Agency to life in your classroom?

To foster Learner Agency, as the teacher, it’s essential to create a classroom where your learners feel confident, cared for, and trusted. Building positive Learner-Teacher relationships is key to cultivating Learner Agency.

One helpful strategy is called the “1-2-3 Then Me” approach. It encourages Learners to rely on their own understanding and their peers’ input when facing a task. Here’s how it works:

1. Learners spend one minute reviewing the directions for the task.
2. They take two minutes to discuss the directions with their peers, sharing ideas and listening to theirs too.
3. Allocate three minutes for learners to plan their approach based on their understanding and the discussions they had with their friends.

Let’s explore another awesome strategy called the “Ask Three Before Me” approach. It’s a technique that encourages Learners to seek help from their peers before reaching out to the Teacher. By asking three classmates for assistance first, they’ll develop important skills like independence, critical thinking and communication. It’s like using their own learning community as a valuable resource. If they still haven’t found the answer after consulting with three peers, then it’s perfectly fine to approach the Teacher. This process not only fosters agency and autonomy but also helps to create a collaborative and supportive learning environment. It helps build trust among classmates, creating the perfect conditions for a successful Learner Agency.

Another cool method to encourage agency is by using coloured cups or paper. Each Learner or group gets a stack of three cups (green, yellow, and red). The green cup means everything is going well, the yellow cup signifies needing help but still being able to continue working, and the red cup indicates the need for immediate assistance. This way, Learners become the captain of their own learning ship, helping  them think about when they may need help. 

What does this have to do with project-based learning?

Project-based learning is an approach where Learners become knowledge superheroes by exploring and responding to complex questions, problems, or challenges. It puts the Learner, not the Teacher, in the driver’s seat.

With project-based learning, Learners get to ask questions, gather information, plan, iterate, reflect, and come up with solutions to real-world problems. It’s like an adventure where Learners work together and make their own decisions throughout the project. They get to decide how they’ll work, what they’ll create, and how they’ll solve problems along the way. Project-based learning lets Learners unleash their creativity and become problem-solving champions! 

Summing it all up:

To foster Learner Agency, create a classroom where Learners feel safe to actively participate in their learning. It’s all about going beyond passive learning!

Learner Agency develops when Learners:

• Feel confident to inquire and be curious.
• Have the confidence to engage and collaborate with others.
• Are able to reflect honestly on their learning, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and a mindset of continuous improvement (iteration).

By nurturing Learner Agency, not only do we prepare Learners for life outside the classroom, but we also make their educational journey more exciting, fulfilling, and successful in the long run.