Agency and Autonomy as a Learning Outcome: Distinguishing Notions

The article explores conceptual difference between the notions of "autonomy" and "agency" in relation to students' learning outcomes. These concepts are often used as synonyms. We argue that distinguishing between them is more productive for practical pedagogy. Unfolding the essence of agentive action in 9 theoretical theses based on sociological and psychological approaches, we trace its prerequisites and outline the forks where agency and autonomy diverge. Agency implies a desire for change based on a consciously constructed identity and values. Independence focuses on achieving mastery within existing roles and social norms. In a social sense, in the continuity/change pair, independence aims at continuity, while agency aims at change. Distinguishing these concepts will help consciously design learning situations and set realistic learning outcomes. However, can agency be a realistic measurable learning outcome in the conventional sense? Probably not, since it is tied to identity and personal attitudes towards social situations, and will therefore be very individual. Autonomy as a learning outcome is simpler, for ultimately it requires comparing the student's skills to those of an adult. The key factor differentiating autonomy and agency is the nature of the individual's identity--its orientation towards reproducing the existing or towards individual search and change.

Keywords

autonomy, agency, education, distinction, learning outcomes

Received

10.01.2024

Publication date

11.01.2024

Number of characters

35351

Cite

GOST	, Yurchenko O. Agency and Autonomy as a Learning Outcome: Distinguishing Notions // Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya – 2023. – Issue 11 C. 80-92 [Electronic resource]. URL: http://ras.jes.su/socis/s013216250028534-0-1-en (circulation date: 17.09.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013216250028534-0
MLA	, , Yurchenko, Olesya "Agency and Autonomy as a Learning Outcome: Distinguishing Notions." Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya 11 (2023):80-92. DOI: 10.31857/S013216250028534-0
APA	, Yurchenko O. (2023). Agency and Autonomy as a Learning Outcome: Distinguishing Notions. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya (11), pp.80-92 DOI: 10.31857/S013216250028534-0

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