Date
23 March 2024

Protect and strengthen students’ agency as learners and collaborators

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Collaboratively planning a universally designed learning environment’

Offer learners options to reflect on their learning

Offer learners options to reflect on their learning

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to supporting students to take ownership of their learning.

Consider the following approaches.

Explore with students what will work for them.

Support students to teach each other

Support students to teach each other

Helen Collins shares two stories about the impact of Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities (DMIC) and inclusion.

Take an “ability-inclusion” approach

Take an “ability-inclusion” approach

All children can be asked and communicate their views.

Taking an ‘ability’ approach ensures you focus on how children with disabilities can participate and communicate their views on their own learning and the design of the learning environment.

Reflect on how you support student voice and learner agency in your learning space. Do you provide:

  • learning and social environments accessible by wheelchairs?
  • resources and materials created so every child can access and use them?
  • self-review and feedback tools and approaches designed to allow all students to use them?
  • access to sign-language interpreters or supporters who can interpret or support communication?
  • multilingual resources?
  • quiet spaces to take a break?
  • regular communication opportunities and do you ask whānau and those who know the children how to improve support?

Source: Office of the Children’s Commission (opens in a new tab/window)

Useful resources

Useful resources

JUly 2020 e Guide Overview Infinity Learning Maps

Overview e-Guide Infinity Learning Maps

A practical tool for teachers, students and parents to explore the science of learning-how-to-learn.

Publisher: Infinity Learn Limited

Download PDF (791 KB)

Website

Personalisation and UDL: A perfect match

Read time: 10 min

Introduction to a three-part approach to supporting personalisation: learner profile, learner backpack, and personal learning plan.

Publisher: ASCD

Visit website

Engaging children in decision making A guide for consulting children

Engaging children in decision making: A guide for consulting children

Read time: 34 min

This is a practical guide for organisations that are interested in engaging children up to the age of 12 in effective decision making. It outlines best ways to consult with children and explores issues to think about as part of best practice.

Publisher: Western Metro Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)

Download PDF

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Collaboratively planning a universally designed learning environment”:

Return to the guide “Collaborative planning for learning”

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