Agency and Self-Assessment

I've been reflecting on my own learning journey this year and there have been so many wonderings.  A question that keeps popping up in my mind is:  what does it look like when a learner can evaluate their own choices honestly?

I chose the image above, because it speaks to me about the natural process of evaluating our choices.  This young learner knows that crossing the street safely has consequencs.  There are so many things to consider:  the activity on the sidewalks, the amount of traffic on the road, where is the best crossing to use to get to where I need to be.  All of these questions percolate in our minds as we are making our own decisions. 

Yet, what is happening in the minds of our learners who don't get to make those decisions.  How do they get to evaluate their choices if they don't make any at home or school?  This has been a condition that has been set by society, which trickles down into school.  Here is how it might manifest with a teacher with a fixed mindset about their learners. 

• In early years, they cannot possibly apply what they discover during play to their learning. 
• In lower primary, they cannot possibly design their own learning engagement to teach each other.
• In upper primary, they cannot possibly co-create their own success criteria and make learning goals to ensure their success. 
• In middle years, they cannot possibly create their own personal and community-based projects that demonstrate leadership. 
• In high school, they cannot possibly participate in creating school policies and showcase their entrprenuership. 

This type of fixed mindset is only benefitting the teacher. It limits what is possible in words and deeds in hopes that learners do not require teachers to be put in an unknown situation.  A space where they do not know how to guide what the learners want to do.  This is a teacher's nightmare. 

Yet, the moment choice becomes genuine self-direction rather than preference, it transforms a learner.  They begin to see that they hold the power to choose their own pathway and determine the outcome.  This knowledge is transformative.  As an educator, it is not my call to say if the learner can or cannot transform.  This is a basic right of a child. 

As I bring these ideas to light, I am not exempt from this conversation.  I've been reviewing my own thought process and actions this school year.  Some of the things that have happened were not my best moments.  Yet, I did try to allow agency to shine whenever possible.  The piece that I still need to work on is getting learners to self-assess their process.  This is a goal for next year. 

​How about you?