Pedagogies of Possibility: Learning Circles & Pedagogical Activism

Education International EdVoices

This episode is the first of a new Education International podcast series entitled ‘Pedagogies of Possibility,’ focusing on how the Teacher-led Learning Circles for Formative Assessment (T3LFA) project has provided the space for educators to come together across its 7 project countries to invent innovative pedagogical practice that improves educational outcomes for all students.  The guest speakers in the first episode include Dr Robbert Smit, lecturer and researcher at the University of Teacher Education St Gallen, Monika, teacher and learning circle facilitator in Zürich, Switzerland, Selina, teacher of 6th grade (ages 12-13) teacher in St Gallen, Switzerland and Christin, teacher of 3rd and 4th grade (ages 9-11) in Lucerne, Switzerland.   In this episode, we discuss the importance of creatively using technology to invent formative assessment practices that meet the needs of each student. We then move on to explore how having dedicated time to develop and reflect on these promising formative assessment practices in learning circles can be understood as a form of pedagogical activism because it fosters pedagogical practice that counters a standardised curriculum that does not create space for the distinct needs of learners.