Student agency is the foundation of international education and pivotal to the mission of the International School of Amsterdam (ISA), whose aim is to educate for international understanding. But what exactly is student agency, and how does it manifest itself in an international school setting?
According to Ruth Clarke, Head of Upper School at ISA, agency is all about giving students voice and choice. It involves encouraging students to express their preferences and needs in how they learn and what they focus on. This non-traditional approach moves beyond typical classroom instruction, offering a more personalised learning experience for each learner.
For international school students, who are immersed in a variety of cultures, and who may also be learning in a second language, agency is particularly significant.
"One thing that you quickly discover when you work in an international school is that students are very interested in learning about their home country and culture," says Ruth. "By giving them choice and agency, you're allowing them to learn in their own context, which is very impactful."
When students are given agency, they become more motivated and engaged in their learning. The benefits of increased agency include:
Furthermore, motivated and engaged learners can grow up to become confident, successful adults with control over their own careers.
The educational concepts which are essential to the educational approach from ISA include:
The International Baccalaureate curriculum, with its inquiry-based approach, naturally supports student agency. At ISA, teachers integrate voice and choice into their planning and classroom activities, considering how to give students ownership at each stage of the learning process.
One method that ISA uses is choice boards. Instead of teaching a topic in a fixed way, students can choose from a variety of learning activities, which allows them to follow their interests. Secondary school students at ISA also have the opportunity to take Global Online Academy (GOA) and Pamoja online courses, giving them access to a broader range of options than on-site and allowing them to learn in a way that works best for them. This approach puts learning firmly in students' hands.
The Bears Council, a recent development at ISA, was introduced to foster more student agency in the Athletics Programme, giving students in the Council leadership roles as well as a sense of ownership over their learning in extracurricular activities.
While agency is crucial to learning at ISA, Ruth emphasises the importance of balance and how it must be complemented with traditional teaching methods. Not all students thrive in an agency-first environment; some find it challenging. Therefore, a varied approach is essential to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
Next year, ISA will further embed student agency into the curriculum through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL is built on the principle of offering multiple means of engagement, recognising that every student learns differently.
This includes providing options like watching videos, listening to podcasts or reading books, and allowing students to choose how they demonstrate their understanding. "We're building agency into all aspects of the curriculum," says Ruth.
Parents play a vital role in nurturing their child's sense of agency. Here's how they can help:
Parents should understand why agency is important and that it involves a challenging but rewarding learning process. Discussing topics and fostering open dialogues at home can support this development.
Recognise that an agency-first approach looks different from traditional learning. It focuses on developing critical thinking skills rather than memorising content. By supporting this approach, parents can reinforce their child's growth.
Encourage children to explore their interests, even in non-academic areas like video games. Passion-driven learning leads to deeper engagement and growth.
Student agency is the bedrock of education at international schools like ISA. By championing voice and choice, educators and parents pave the way for empowered learners ready to navigate the complexities of the global landscape with confidence and conviction.