Listeners & Learners – Addressing Agency

Research has built a strong case for the development and facilitation of learner agency in the daily life of the classroom.  Benefits include significant increases in confidence, self-esteem and academic performance. Learner Agency is referenced in curriculum and policy documents and has been framed as necessary for heightened engagement and consequently learning (N.C.C.A., 2023).  Yet although the term is indeed a familiar one to us, our understanding of the concept of learner agency and the way it is facilitated in our practice merits further exploration. 

Changing from traditional styles of teaching and learning to hear and facilitate the voice of the learner, demands a change in pedagogy (Bushati, 2018). This webinar series will offer a reflective space to develop an understanding of learner agency and provide practical strategies to facilitate it in within the learning environment.

• Webinar 1 – Activating Agency

What is learner agency?  Why is it important?  How is it facilitated?

• Webinar 2 – Achieving Agency

Navigating Curriculum Challenges - How can learners act independently and make choices in and about their learning?

• Webinar 3 – Amplifying Agency

Mindsets & Milestones – A guest panel will discuss how to encourage a mindset shift towards agency in the classroom and the wider school community.

Bio paragraph:

Shelly Furlong is an experienced primary school teacher with a strong background in leading professional development and educational learning initiatives. Her research focuses on learner agency, where she explores and develops practical strategies to enhance classroom practice with a particular emphasis on empowering students and fostering their independent learning. Her commitment to advance teaching practices and improve educational outcomes continues to shape her approach to teaching and professional development.

Shelly Furlong, B.A., H.Dip., M.Ed.