Agency through Negotiated Choice – more than a menu of options.

January 20, 2016

A key part of developing Learner Agency is through Negotiated Choice.

Negotiated Choice involves giving learners gradually raised choice in a variety of aspects of their learning; be it curriculum design, content design, means of accessing and showing their learning and modes of assessment. This can be done through informal and more formal structures such as a Daily 5 approach.

The questions we need to ask ourselves with any approach are:

To what extent are our learners an integral part of the selection of the choices; or are they merely continually selecting from teacher pre-determined options?
How are you enabling your students to move towards more agency through choice?

We need to consider the pathway towards Learner Agency as a continuum. Learners need to develop capabilities to be able to lead their own learning. This requires shared leadership where the shift of locus of control moves from teacher-centered to student driven. The continuum below provides an overview of this process.

So as you plan for the year ahead, take time to consider how you are building authentic Learner Agency through Negotiated Choice into your practice.

Need a speaker?

There are plenty of speakers to choose from. I am not the norm. You won’t be bored to tears by the same ole’ approach and dribble. How about bringing Mary-Anne for the conference or all-staff day.

Give me a stage and I’ll own it. Give me a room and I’ll energise it. Give me your people and I’ll inform and inspire them.

Need virtual delivery – no sweat! I have facilitated virtual full and half-day workshops, virtual keynote speaking at online conferences, and might I say, you still get the Mary-Anne goodness you deserve!

More details here