Project Rationale for WAB: At WAB we believe that students should have autonomy and agency in their learning, aligned with programme and curriculum goals, with personalisation to inspire and challenge all learners. We have many examples of agency in action developed over the last few years, from the project and classroom level all the way through to leading school strategic planning. Through engaging with this Learning Principle, we aim to ensure that ongoing developments are innovative, informed and aligned with our IB programmes.
5.1 Learners demonstrate the skills and dispositions of self-directed learners, such as the ability to ask thoughtful questions, to design a plan to pursue an area of interest, to assess the state of their progress, and the ability to seek help when it is needed.
5.2 Learners pursue their personal strengths, challenges, interests, and passions in a variety of ways.
5.3 Learners exercise voice and choice in what they learn, how they learn it, and how they demonstrate what they have learned.
5.4 Learners develop through self-initiated exploration, research, and discovery.
To what extent are learners encouraged to plan their learning according to their own strengths, interests, and challenges as they work toward school expectations?
How has the teacher role changed to provide time and opportunity to co-create learning experiences with students?
What are the necessary dispositions and skills for learner autonomy, both from a coach/mentor and student perspective?
To what extent are we encouraging learners to access coaches and mentors beyond the walls of the school to support their learning?
How do autonomy and self-directed learning look at different developmental stages?
How are students coached on selecting resources to support their learning goals that will include underrepresented voices and perspectives?
When do direct teaching methods have the greatest positive impact?
What training/experiences do our teachers need to feel comfortable in adapting pedagogical practices and releasing control of learning to students?
WAB has a school-wide mentoring model in which students are known and supported by dedicated mentor teachers, who help them make choices about their learning and development.
Time is our most precious resource, and we continually explore how to make the most of time in our schedules and projects. This includes the further development of projects that empower learners to choose their learning goals, approaches and use of time.
Day 9 in MS & HS - Students Taking Charge Of Their Schedules
Time, Space, Learning & Wellbeing
Rethinking the use of time and space leads to amazing learning experiences and opportunities for authentic learner agency. Developments in Learning Community models across the school highlight some innovative ways in which learning is being redesigned.
PYP Learning Communities
MYP Mathematics Learning Communities
More Learning Community Models
Empowering Interdisciplinary Learning & Agency