Fostering learner agency in Ukrainian innovative schools: prioritizing factors of innovative learning environment

Abstract

The objective of this article is to present and deliberate upon the initial phase of research outcomes obtained from an online survey involving 22 founders/directors of private innovative and alternative schools in Ukraine. By employing a scaling instrument research participants evaluated the importance of innovative learning environment (ILE) factors. The outcomes of this assessment serve a dual purpose: they elucidate the precedence of innovative endeavors aligned with a strong learner agency development and provide methodological guidance for subsequent in-depth interviews. The research has yielded three key findings. Firstly, a common understanding of the peculiarities of a learning process among the professionals, who work with the learners in school, supersedes structural elements, emphasizing cultural values. Secondly, the exploration of learner identity emerges as a critical facet. This finding accentuates the indispensable need to accompany learners through identity exploration and regular self-reflection in order to empower subjectivity within the learning process. Lastly, the research underscores the multidimensional nature of crucial ILE factors, implying an effective learning process with a strong learner agency as one of its results should not be misconstrued as synonymous with teaching. Yet, the pivotal role of teachers and their professional readiness to be the “conductors” of innovative learning experiences remains paramount, as vividly evidenced by the prioritization.

Keywords

• learner agency
• innovative ukrainian schools
• innovative learning environment (ile)
• learner agency enablement
• critical realist perspective
• structure/culture-agency interaction
• identity search
• learner’s self-exploration
• new ukrainian school