A student is a person who is enrolled in an educational institution. They may be a child, an adult learning in school or a university student. The word “student” comes from the Latin studere, which means to study.

It is also a term used to refer to an individual who is engaged in a special course of study, such as returning to school after being out of high school. In addition to being a pupil, students are often involved in extra-curricular activities. Often, they are also involved in their parents’ or guardians’ lives.

Developing students’ agency is a great way to engage them in learning. Agency is an empowering experience for students, allowing them to express their unique perspectives, make choices and gain stake in opportunities.

Students’ voices need to be heard. Including their voices in the curriculum process and incorporating their ideas into class norms helps them feel they have a say. Similarly, giving them a voice in the broader community of their school promotes their sense of empowerment and self-direction.

Using a KWL (What, Why, Where, How) model can provide teachers with a framework to encourage agency in their students. This model involves asking questions about students’ interest in a topic. Then, using the data, teachers can connect the topic to the student’s background. For example, if a student wants to learn about the history of basketball, the teacher could ask questions about the history of basketball and why it is important.

The KWL model is a good way to get a sense of what a student wants to learn about a topic. When the teacher paraphrases the student’s responses, the students are able to hear the reasoning behind the answers. Teachers can also include the student’s voice in group work.

A good teacher-student relationship can result in students making commitments to change. These commitments can include taking better notes during a lecture, asking questions when they don’t understand something, and avoiding off-task behaviors.

Creating safe spaces for students to explore their own voice and make mistakes is a key part of engaging them in learning. It’s also important to provide guidance to students in setting goals and goal-setting. Giving them a sense of responsibility to contribute to the group activities they participate in, such as team building exercises, helps students take ownership of their learning.

Taking ownership of their learning also creates a foundation for collaborative, self-regulatory group work. This is why it’s important to foster growth mindsets in the classroom. Student-teacher partnerships are crucial in creating a learning environment that is inclusive and supportive.

Developing student agency is not a substitute for teacher control. In fact, it often requires the educator’s support. Having students work with teachers to develop their own goals and understanding of their values can improve their attitudes and learning. By creating a growth-mindset classroom, educators can help students develop their own self-reflection skills and learn how to incorporate their learning into the larger context of the school.