Examining Learner Agency in Online Teaching

Abstract

Ever since the Gurukul system of education in India, the school education followed a Sage on stage approach. Over the past few decades, teachers have started to believe that a guide on the side approach is critical for deeper learning to take place among students. With the technological advancement in the field of education and evolving pedagogies, parents have also started to believe that learners must bear the responsibility of their learning under the supervision of teachers. Learner agency has different connotative meanings in different countries. In the present study, learner agency refers to a student's ability to play an active role in their education [1]. Outburst of COVID-19 in India has led to the introduction of online teaching in most of the urban schools. Routine lifestyles of student's have been changed due to lock down of the schools. Lockdown of schools has brought about changes in the Learner agency. Therefore, the present study is to examine the learner agency in an online teaching environment and to describe the changes in the learner agency due to the online learning environment. The study employed a qualitative research method to examine the changes in learner agency. A semi structured interview was conducted to a group of upper primary school students who were learning via online teaching. Study was able to examine the changes in learner agency due to online teaching and learning. The results of the study will help school teachers to understand the changes in learner agency in an online learning environment and how to support learner agency or to become co-agent? In an online teaching learning environment.