Loading
Loading

Home > Reflective Teaching in Secondary Schools > 2. Creating conditions for learning > 5. Contexts > Reflective Activities > To consider the meaning and significance of 'agency', both for teachers and for learners


  1. 1. Becoming a reflective professional
       1. Identity
       2. Learning
  2.    3. Reflection
  3.    4. Principles
  4.    Observing [supplementary chapter]
  5.    Enquiry [supplementary chapter]
  6.    Mentoring [supplementary chapter]
  7.    Techniques of enquiry
       [supplementary chapter]

  8. 2. Creating conditions for learning
  9.    5. Contexts
  10.    6. Relationships
  11.    7. Engagement
  12.    8. Spaces

  13. 3. Teaching for learning
  14.    9. Curriculum
  15.    10. Planning
  16.    11. Pedagogy
  17.    12. Communication
  18.    13. Assessment

  19. 4. Reflecting on consequences
  20.    14. Outcomes
  21.    15. Social justice
  22.    Judgement
       [supplementary chapter]

  23. 5. Deepening understanding
  24.    16. Teacher expertise
  25.    17. Professional learning
  26.    18. Professionalism
  27.    Starting out [supplementary
       chapter]
  28.    Improvement [supplementary
       chapter]

To consider the meaning and significance of ‘agency’, both for teachers and for learners

Aim

To consider the meaning and significance of ‘agency’, both for teachers and for learners.

Evidence and reflection

To review and explore the significance of ideology, culture, opportunity and accountability reviewed circumstances, and this activity focuses on how people respond and act in relation to these. In particular, it is about the human spirit and the possibilities which always exist whatever the circumstances.

An interesting way of approaching this is to share one’s educational biography with a colleague with whom one feels secure. Taking it in turns, take time to provide a narrative of how you moved through your education, meeting different teachers, growing up, finding some learning difficult but succeeding in others... Identify and focus on some key episodes or turning points which enabled you to progress. Explore, if you can, the actions you took and the encouragement or support you received from others.

Does consideration of such narratives and key moments enable you to see the significance of agency, in the form of your determination to succeed or the judgement by others to encourage you?

Extension

You might like to consider the learning of a small number of students you know at school. To what extent are they able to exercise agency in relation to their circumstances and goals, and might you be able to help?


More in this chapter