Insights on... Journal Club: Does Student Agency Benefit Student Learning?

From the series 100 DAYS OF... Students Taking Responsibility

During the Journal Club session, held on the 1st of October, Elli Papageorgiou and Shirong Zhang led the discussion, focusing on a systematic review titled "Does Student Agency Benefit Student Learning? A Systematic Review on Higher Education Research". Participants engaged in a lively conversation that showcased a rich diversity of perspectives. Below is a summary of the article and key takeaways from the discussion: 

Student agency encompasses a learner’s goals, processes, skills, and capacities and provides a conceptual framework for understanding and enhancing students’ responsibility in their learning. The review addresses two key challenges: the varied interpretations of agency and its relationship to student learning outcomes, and concerns over the quality of existing research. While the review offers a broad overview of current trends and potential directions, the complexity and richness of student agency – and its translation to responsibility – remain difficult to fully capture. In educational practice, embracing the multifaceted nature of student agency while focusing on specific components may offer a way forward. Moreover, there is a need for more rigorous and reliable methodologies to assess the impact of student learning. For educators, beginning with critical thinking is essential to address challenges such as embedding scaffolding into real-world contexts. Additionally, creating a supportive and safe environment, along with nurturing interpersonal relationships that promote trust, curiosity, and a drive for learning, is crucial. Just as fertile soil allows roots to spread and thrive, such an environment enables students to take ownership of their learning journey. 

If you enjoyed reading about this event, feel free to check out the full programme of the series 100 DAYS OF... Students taking responsibility and join us in the future!