Learner Agency
Learners with agency take ownership of learning; they exhibit motivation, autonomy, and self-direction in their learning pursuits, such that they become “agents of their own learning.” In today’s digital age, learners have unprecedented access to tools and resources that amplify agency. These tools can empower learners to meet standards of academic success, as well as to satisfy their creative and intellectual pursuits.
Mindsets, skill sets, and critical thinking skills contribute to learners’ agency. Mindsets include curiosity, growth mindset, and vulnerability; skill sets address competencies for leveraging technology, media, and digital tools. Critical thinking skills pertain to online content, relationships, and dynamics, directly corresponding to digital-age literacy and citizenship.
Learning Processes & Tasks
Mindsets, skill sets, and critical thinking skills contribute to learners’ agency. Mindsets include curiosity, growth mindset, and vulnerability; skill sets address competencies for leveraging technology, media, and digital tools. Critical thinking skills pertain to online content, relationships, and dynamics, directly corresponding to digital-age literacy and citizenship.
Learning Processes & Tasks
- Use technology and digital tools within learning processes(a) to perform related tasks(b)
a. Learning processes (e.g., the writing process, design thinking process, computational thinking process, goal setting & reflection)
b. Related tasks (e.g., brainstorming, data collection & analysis, drafting, revising, publishing) - Use technology to manage projects, deadlines, artifacts, documents, and resources
- Engage in informal/unstructured learning such as making and tinkering with both digital and non-digital tools
Resourcefulness - Participate in shared learning with others, locally or globally,
a. Tap into experts in the field
b. Connect with other learners, near or far
c. Access content developed by trusted sources - Use digital tools such as VR, AR, and Webcams to experience a range of people, places, and things that might not otherwise be possible
- Leverage technology to break down barriers (e.g., geographic, language, physical) in order to more fully engage in innovative, collaborative, and meaningful learning practices
- Use strategies and practice persistence when learning new technology tools and when troubleshooting to advance one’s own digital literacy and technology efficacy
Voice, Choice, and Knowing One’s Self - Select learning projects, resources, and products (digital and non-digital) that reflect deep and authentic learning
- Develop and exercise one’s own voice through digital platforms
- Customize one’s own digital experience to optimize and personalize use

Edvolve Framework by LeeAnn Lindsey is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.