Transform.Ed Briefing #66

Inside the Briefing: Amidst evidence for student agency and learner-centered learning, exploring the role of a teacher

Apr 18, 2024

Going to school is still a dream for about 250 million children in the world today. But does that mean millions of those going to school are actually learning? Data suggests otherwise. Globally, around 48 percent of children are not able to read with comprehension when they reach the end of primary school, ranging from nine percent in high-income countries to 90 percent in low-income countries.

Merely attending school will not translate into learning and holistic development of children. We will have to go and think beyond just enrollments or attendance. Enabling learners with co-agency in their learning could not only prepare them with skills and mindset for lifelong learning but also improve overall educational outcomes and experiences. A blend of teacher-directed and inquiry-based instruction —where students have a more significant role in their own learning, seems to work the best for improving educational outcomes.

As Piaget rightly puts it, “Play is the work of children.” While adults, including teachers, parents, and families, play vital roles, their primary responsibility lies in facilitating playful learning experiences that foster children’s agency.

Learning through play is another such pedagogical tool in our hands that can be utilized to build motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills. A key aspect of learning through play is the coming together of different spheres of a child’s life - home, school, community, and the wider world. In our last poll, we asked about the major concern regarding the effectiveness of play-based learning compared to traditional instructional methods. About two-thirds of the respondents believed that it was not meant for students of all ages, while the rest of them cited the lack of teacher preparedness as the primary concern.

While designing play-based learning is no child play, the question is how do we integrate play-based learning without falling into the engagement trap?

Share your thoughts and experiences with your global peers in the comments below or join the conversation on the Global Citizenship Foundation’s Educational Leadership Community, exclusively dedicated to educators worldwide. If you haven’t signed up yet, please get in touch with us here.

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As a first-generation learner and educator, I understand the value of inspiring educators in the lives of learners; the most inspiring educators I've encountered in life are those who never stop learning. Together, let's embark on this incredible journey of learning and transforming education for human and planetary flourishing! Subscribe to Transform.Ed and be at the forefront of shaping the many futures of education!

In service of education and visionary education leaders,

— Aaryan Salman
Director-General
Global Citizenship Foundation