A-Lab Series: Lesson Three - Agency as Philosophy, Product and Practice

The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

How do we be more on purpose, and less on point and create learning with rigour but not rigidity? How do we elevate voice, choice and initiative knowing that as we do so we create more freedom and more responsibility?

In this third episode of our 10-part special series on Learner Agency we discuss agency as if it were a philosophy, a product, and a practice. This is the third lesson for agency shared by global education expert Charlie LeadBeater in conversation with educators from three different schools across South Australia. In our conversation we blend the conceptual with the concrete, exploring philosophy, practice and product and hear how schools have journeyed towards activating agency in their community.

Three brilliant teachers join us for our conversation today: Renee Wehner from Calvary Lutheran Primary School, Alice Speirs from Walford Anglican School for Girls, and Tim Agnew from University Senior College. We discuss what purposeful learning looks like and how identity meets intent - when who we are powerfully intersects with what we want to achieve. As our educator colleagues share their learning journeys, both inner and outer, we discuss the connection between values and achievement, how they endure and evolve, and how if we connect purpose, commitment, and reflection we can create high agency learning experiences that lead to increased growth and mastery.

This series is a special collaboration between The Learning Future and AISSA: The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia. Each of these ten podcast episode correspond to one of 10 lessons on Learning Agency from the soon to be published Centre for Strategic Education Paper authored by Charlie LeadBeater. We hope you enjoy our second conversation, agency as philosophy, product, and practice.
See more: https://www.ais.sa.edu.au/events/student-agency-lab-three-year-project/