Overview:
The concept of learner agency recognises students as agents of their own and others' learning. Schools that establish a learning environment that enhances students' sense of agency understand that shared perceptions and beliefs need to go beyond structures and procedures. They realise it 'is the cultural climate which shapes the ideas that the adults in a particular society hold about children. The wish to listen to and involve children originates in this cultural climate' (Langsted)

Through this workshop, participants will construct understandings around children's identities and rights and how these beliefs influence the educational context they create for students. Participants will experience what it means to be agentic learners themselves and explore what teachers (and school leaders) can do to enhance learners' sense of agency and self-efficacy.
Participants will:
  • Explore the 'what and the why' of learner agency
  • Inquire into the relationship between learner agency and self-efficacy
  • Consider personal, cultural and historical perspectives around children's identities and rights
  • Explore strategies to enhance the learners' sense of agency and self-efficacy
  • Investigate how schools can support the development of skills and dispositions that enhance and support learner agency
  • Actively take responsibility for their own learning
Workshop Objectives:
  • Understand the connection between learner agency and personal, cultural and historical perspectives around children's identities and rights
  • Deepen understanding of how learner agency impacts student learning and well being
  • Consider practical ways to support learner agency within schools
Potiential Audience:
This workshop is best suited for early years and primary teachers and / or school leaders who would like to deepen their understanding of learner agency and consider how it translates to their unique school context.
Anne Van Dam
Child centred learning has been Anne's passion for more than 25 years. Anne has worked in schools in the Netherlands, China, Singapore and Switzerland, where she took on various positions such as team leader, PYP coordinator and director. Anne used to work at the Canadian International School (Singapore) where she was part of the team that took the school to IB authorisation Anne has been an IB workshop leader since 2005, sharing her passion for young children and play with educators in international schools.

Anne joined EtonHouse International Pre-School in August 2007, drawn to the school for its vision to establish early childhood education centred on young children's competencies in making meaning and building relationships. At EtonHouse, she first combined teaching with the responsibilities of the PYP coordinator. In June 2008, Anne became the Director of this school.

In August 2011, Anne moved back to Europe and took on the responsibility of Assistant Principal at the International School of Zug and Luzern. At ISZL, she supported the development of a new vision for the teaching and learning in the early years. This direction places a strong emphasis on relationships, play, learning spaces (both inside and outside) and on making teaching and learning visible to others.

Anne moved back to the Netherlands in 2015. This has given her the opportunity to collaborate for two years with the PYP development team at the IB regional office in The Hague. She has been working on the IB PYP review focusing on learner agency, early years, inquiry and several aspects of 'the learning community'. Anne still works for the IB workshop leader and content developer and collaborates with international schools as an independent educational consultant.
 
Venue:
The International School of Dusseldorf
Niederrheinstraße 336, 40489 Düsseldorf

8.30 am to 3.30 pm
Registration at 8.00 am
on the 23rd March 2019.
INVESTMENT
 
USD 750 Closing Date till 15th March 2019
INCLUDES: Certificate of Participation for 16 Professional Development hours, Lunch and 2 coffee breaks.
Upcoming Workshops
Concept-Based Mathematics
- By Jennifer Wathall
13th - 14th April 2019
The Hague
Differentiated Instruction
- By Carol Ann Tomlinson
13th - 14th April 2019
The Hague
Early Year Educators Conference Thinking big Learning as Participation
- By Matt Karlssen & Susan MacKay, Anne van Dam, Fiona Zinn, Matt Glover
7th - 8th September 2019
Hong Kong
Emails:
www.chaptersinternational.com
+91-9818362535