Embedded Files
What do we know about tracking learner agency?
We know the following about measuring agency from several large empirical studies* in US schools:
It matters ‘when’ the survey is done.
Students’ self reported perception of their agency changes depending on time of year (before or after holidays / exams).
It matters ‘where’ or in which subject (with what teacher) the survey is done.
An individual student’s agency is dynamic with respect to teacher, subject and the topic of instruction.
It matters ‘how’ we interpret the results.
Surveys can be used to measure agency but they are not great at comparing groups especially (ethnicity and gender). This means contextual data is important.
So, how can we best measure learner agency?
By nature, learner agency data is best collected either through teacher observations (using rubrics) or through student self-perception surveys. With this in mind, we have paired each agency related factor (eg. self-concept) with a validated 5-point survey from Panorama Education in a Google Form. For each factor, there is an age appropriate Junior, Middle and Senior Years Google Form. The live URLs for these short surveys can be accessed further down the page.
Here are some notes about the surveys and recommended usage. The surveys:
consist of a short demographics section and five agency questions (can serve as ideal exit tickets).
require each student to use a unique email address
may need the teacher to explain come vocab (ie. 'tremendous' and 'iron self-discipline').
ask for an optional 'teacher code' so we can identify your specific data (if you would like a teacher code, please email andrew.bergh@elim.school.nz to set this up)
We recommend that the surveys be administered:
Specifically in either English, Maths or RE (Christian Living ) classes (agency is subject specific).
Regularly, that is, once a week over the course of a term (agency is dynamic).
Academic Mindsets
01 Self-Concept Surveys
How much students feel that they are valued members of the school community.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
02a Self-Efficacy Surveys
How much students believe they can succeed in achieving academic outcomes.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
02b Growth Mindset Surveys
Student perceptions of whether they have the potential to change those factors that are central to their performance in school.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
03 Self-Relevancy (Value) Surveys
How much students feel that an academic subject is interesting, important, and useful.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
Academic Perseverance
04 Self-Discipline (Grit) Surveys
How well students are able to persevere through setbacks to achieve important long-term goals (not limited to academics), taking into account their experiences and identities.
Note: this survey include one question about self-control and is a good general survey for grit. Use the 06 Self-Control Survey below as a specific tool for self-control.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
05 Self-Control Survey
This survey is adapted from Tangney, Baumeister & Boone's (2004) measure called the "Brief Self-Control Scale". Please note the this is NOT a validated scale as it has been adapted to 5 questions and negatively worded items have been worded positively.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
Learning Strategies
06 Self-Regulation (Learning Strategies) Surveys
How well students deliberately use strategies to manage their own learning processes generally.
Use (copy and paste) the URL of the appropriate survey from the list below.
*see Ferguson et al. (2015) recommendations in the reading section. Also see the Complexity of Agency presentation.
Page updated
Report abuse