Students as Epistemic Agents: Identifying Opportunities That Support Action in Elementary Science Classrooms

• In Event: Equitable Science Education for Elementary Schools

Abstract

The present study aims to build on contemporary scholarship of student agency in science learning by 1) identifying opportunities for agency in the context of discourse activities and 2) exploring how students enact (or not enact) agency in response to these opportunities. Findings show specific teacher talk moves and elementary science activity characteristics that relate to different forms of student (vs. teacher or shared) agentic acts. The potential of soliciting and placing value on students’ funds of knowledge for creating equitable spaces that position students as agents is underscored. Better understanding these opportunities and students’ agentic acts in response are critical to meet the vision for integrated and equitable science education for all students.

Authors

• Christine Lee Bae, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Kathryn N. Hayes, California State University - East Bay

• Brit Toven-Lindsey, California State University - East Bay

• Sarah Ansari, San Leandro Unified School District

• Jessica R. Gladstone, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Linda K Preminger, California State University - East Bay

• Dawn M. O'Connor, Alameda County Office of Education

• Jeffrey C. Seitz, California State University - Hayward

• Sarah Kimberly Williams, California State University - East Bay