Luhrmann's work from 2001

Luhrmann

In what ways might the agency of teacher or learner be expressed in an educational experience?

Agency, as Luhrmann (2001) defines it, "is the volitional capacity of all persons: their ability to choose, to intend, to act." As such, agency can be compared with the concept of free will. That free will is always limited by what anthropologists call structure: "the external constraints on human freedom institution lies within the society the kinship structure, political structure, economic structure, and so forth," (Luhrmann 2001). In a traditional educational environment, free will is restricted in many ways for both learner and teacher. The teacher is constrained by the prevailing curriculum, the hours of the day and the days of the week designated as proper school days, and the social and political norms of the culture. His or her agency is subject to the structure of the educational system and the government to which it is subject. Postmodern theories of identity presume that "agency is understood to act within the constraints of external power." Learners are restrained more than their teachers because learners have little to no control over course content and individual lesson plans whereas teachers do control those to a great extent.

For the agency of either teacher or learner (or both) to be expressed in an educational experience, both parties would need to be liberated from the restrictive structure. Learning would take place independently of the school, at times of the day and days of the week agreed-upon by both teacher and learner. Course content and curricula would be chosen at will. Props and other educational materials would include anything relevant to the lesson at hand: ranging from music to video games to books. The agency of teacher or learner would also be expressed verbally: such as through student questions and requests. Students would undertake self-directed research projects, guided or led by teachers at their request. Agency would enable students to play a few hours of sports instead of read, or to read instead of play the piano. Teachers expressing their agency could hold classes outdoors, and teach about any subject they wish.

2.What contradictions might result?

The teacher's agency can easily conflict with that of the student. The teacher's agency might also clash with prevailing social values and norms. For example, a teacher who wanted to include Intelligent Design in the course curriculum could do so if all structure to the educational system were removed. With that structure in place, the teacher cannot teach Intelligent Design. The contradiction between structure and agency becomes poignant in an educational setting.