Creating learning paths, influencing, participating: A pilot study on teacher students’ experiences of agency in their first-year small group studies

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine teacher students’ agency. In this study agency was defined as the students’ possibilities and resources to influence their studies, pursue goals, make choices, and act autonomously and responsibly. The main aims were to find out what kind of agency teacher students experience in their studies and what kind of factors they perceive as supporting and constraining their agency. The pilot also aimed to ascertain suitable methodology for investigating student agency. The data were collected with teacher education students’ interviews (n = 2) and written self-reflections (n = 3). The analysis indicated that teacher students’ agency was manifested as self-realization as the students created meaningful study paths and as influencing and participating as they took initiatives and participated actively in their learning environment. Opportunities to influence and take initiatives and emotional safety in the learning environment were significant factors supporting students’ agency.