The Most Innovative Things Happen With Student Voice And Agency are Included

It is about the student being his/her own agent in the learning process, not the teacher. The process of “passive thought transfer” from teacher to student is replaced with the students creating, sharing, doing, and learning in ways that are meaningful to them. Agency allows the student to decide what to learn and how to learn it. This way, students can follow their passions while drawing from their strong points in their chosen style of learning.

What Is Student Voice?

Students having a say in their education from the way they learn, the subject matter taught, even how schools are designed. In many school districts, the administrators are still making decisions for the students. Students are the stockholders in the education arena, and preparing students to work in factories is no longer paying dividends. It is time to discontinue the monotonous, repetitious practice of memorization using tests and lectures for student learning. Giving students a voice in their education by creating projects, using real-world application of knowledge is what’s best for them. Students are the primary stockholder in their education, and it is time they had a seat at the table. Student voice is sharing their passion for better education by expressing their expertise, ideas, and opinions in the classroom.

Student Agency Applied

Teachers allow their students to exercise agency by choosing any form to show their understanding of the subject being studied. Teachers put the students ‘behind the wheel’ so they can assess their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Student agency grows as the students grow in competence, confidence, and creativity. The knowledge and experience gained from the hands-on approach to learning better equip students for the real world.

Student Voice Applied

Traditionally, students were not included in conversations that directly affected them even in the classroom setting. School districts are incorporating student voice in the classroom, giving students a say in how their education is constructed. Administrators can let students have a seat at the parent-teacher conference table, school board meetings, and any gatherings where students' education is the main topic. Students are the principal shareholders who are investing in their learning by being an active participant in some of the decision making. Giving students agency and voice by integrating their input into the decision-making, education is more effective for those who benefit the most from it.

Sources:

Cushman, Kathleen.  2017.  The Art and Science of Developing Student Agency. New Teacher Center.

Sindelar, Justin. 2019. What student Voice Is - And Isn’t.  Medium.

Shafer, Leah. 2016. Giving Students a Voice. Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Wagner, Mark. 2016. Student Agency. EdTechTeam.

https://xqsuperschool.org/blog/student-voice/13-teacher-tips-for-building-student-voice-and-agency/