Agility is an umbrella term for a number of working practices. In essence, agility seeks productivity and timeliness through regular feedback - and the ongoing adjustments that the feedback suggests - in short iterations of work. The parallel with education is straightforward. Good instruction makes regular use of feedback so that students, working in short cycles, are constantly refining and improving their thinking and work.
Get the big picture: students set goals (outcomes), deconstruct (find the most important (3-5) aspects / skills related to the goal), and then smallify (learn to find the next small step that builds on what’s already done), and finally, learn through deliberate practice (self-correcting as they progress).
When students are trusted to explore and know that mistakes are ok, learning becomes fun and engaging. Exploration builds on student interests so they learn the basics naturally - and even specialize on aspects of particular interest to them.
Four steps for students to give and get safe and effective feedback.
Learning needs to change. Ideally schools could adopt a student-pulled curriculum (instead of a push system, which is what we overwhelmingly have), based on their own needs and interests.
Summer camp experiences led to some deep understanding about learning. Namely, we sometimes let our teaching and planning get in learning’s way.
Reflections on educational improvements through student choice, self-regulation, and challenge.
STEAM projects provide an excellent avenue for student engagement and excellence through student choice, buy-in and challenge.