Re-conceptualising learner feedback agency: a situational, deliberative and entangled perspective

Abstract

This article critically examines current conceptualisations of learner feedback agency (LFA) by juxtaposing them against debates and origins of agency to uncover their existing limitations. This examination found three limitations, portraying LFA as a static construct, overemphasising behavioural enactments over underlying deliberations, and presenting a unidirectional influence of structures on LFA. Responding to these limitations, the article proposes a three-fold re-conceptualisation of LFA as (1) situational, highlighting the adaptability of learners in dynamic learning environments, urging a shift from static to situation-specific considerations; (2) deliberative, underscoring the significance of examining learners’ thought processes beyond behavioural actions, and (3) entangled, recognising the co-constructive relationship between learners’ actions and existing structures, emphasising that learners not only respond to, but also influence structures in feedback. Implications of these perspectives are discussed, challenging prevailing assumptions and advocating for a more robust understanding of LFA.