What happens when students are awarded points for assignments, but not given feedback? What message is sent to students who receive 100% on homework simply for turning it in? In traditional school settings, these practices have been the norm for decades. Students quickly learn that compliance is valued above all and become passive participants in the learning process. When we are met with students from traditional settings who have walked a path of disengagement for many years, it presents challenges. The transition to a Competency-Based Learning (CBL) system requires careful coaching to help students engage with the learning process rather than chase points. The goal is that students work towards mastery of the standards so that grades reflect what they know and can do with that knowledge. In order to help our students move from passive to engaged learning, we must focus on building student agency.
Student agency refers to empowering students to manage their own learning. Building student agency creates a chain reaction. When we build choice and voice into our lessons, students become more invested and motivated to engage. When they are more motivated to engage, they move beyond surface-level learning. As they plunge deeper into the depths of knowledge, they are more likely to experience transfer learning. Transfer learning means a student can apply knowledge and strategies under new conditions. This is where the true magic happens. Transfer learning is the key to helping students excel on assessments and standardized tests like the CAASPP. So how can we build student agency and spark this chain reaction to academic success?
The new high school lesson plan template is designed to be a structure that allows teachers to create the conditions that build student agency. (This structure also works with K-8!) A choice board forces students to make decisions about their own learning and, therefore, become invested in the process. Think about how many choices students have in all areas of their lives compared to when we were younger. Where I had maybe 7 TV channels to choose from growing up, students today have endless options for what to watch, how to watch, and even when to watch. Are our students waiting hours to record their favorite song from the radio on their tape recorder? Nope! They just add it to their never-ending Spotify playlist. And for many years people either took their coffee black or with cream and sugar. The options today include lattes, frappuccinos, cappuccinos, mistos, and macchiatos. All of these come in a variety of flavors with different milk options, foams, syrups, and toppings. Our students have grown up in a customizable world. We need to meet them where they are and design lessons with their life experiences in mind.
While offering choice is a quick and easy way to help students develop student agency, there are also 4 essential elements of competency-based learning to consider. How can you make these part of your practice for live sessions, meetings with students, and student assessments?
You added choices for students and created engaging lessons. You created meaningful practice and measure learning often. You provide specific, timely feedback to help students progress. What else can you do daily to help empower students to walk a path of engagement? Here are other 4 additional ways to help build student agency during 1:1s and live sessions.