The Student-Centered Shift: Empowered International Schools and Classrooms Through Project-Based Learning

Looking to Deepen Student Agency? Tools to Support Inquiry, Independence, and the Shift to Facilitator

Jul 1, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, Robynne Esther, an inquiry-driven educator with over 15 years of experience, shares her journey towards fostering genuine student agency. She reveals practical tools that allow students to direct their learning, like the co-creation of checklists and expert research groups. Robynne emphasizes the power of inquiry provocations to broaden student-led directions and the importance of visible thinking strategies for reflection and risk-taking. This conversation offers actionable insights for educators aiming to facilitate independence without sacrificing structure.

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ANECDOTE

Student Eco-Friendly Project Example

An 11-year-old student confidently shared his project on making eco-friendly planes.
Fifteen classmates also presented unique projects with driving questions and community involvement.

ADVICE

Use Engaging Inquiry Provocations

Spark curiosity using real-world, engaging provocations linked to students' lives.
Use activities like hiding articles or walks to inspire authentic questions and interests.

ADVICE

Support Inquiry with Questions & Community

Support inquiry by encouraging diverse question routines and amplifying student voice.
Engage community members like parents and experts to enrich learning and connect it to the real world.

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Even after shifting to student-centered learning, it’s easy to fall into familiar routines: sparking a project, guiding students along, and quietly doing the heavy lifting ourselves. But what does it take to fully hand over the reins—and trust students to direct their own learning?

In this episode, inquiry-driven educator Robynne Esther shares how she made that shift herself, and the practical tools she now uses to support real student independence, without sacrificing structure. From co-creating checklists to guiding expert research and using visible thinking strategies, Robynne walks us through how to scaffold agency without oversteering it.

You’ll hear:

How inquiry provocations can open up—not narrow—student-led direction
What expert groups and feedback loops look like in project-based units
Why the right checklist isn’t about control, but about clarity
How thinking routines help students reflect, take risks, and follow their curiosity
The subtle mindset shifts that allow teachers to lead by stepping back

Whether you’re refining your role as facilitator or looking for ways to help students take the next leap in self-direction, this conversation offers inspiration—and strategy—you can put to use right away.

Connect with Robynne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynne-esther-24990771/

Dive Deeper into Student-Centered Environments: Get the 12 Shifts Book

Robynne's Bio: Ever wonder how to spark genuine curiosity in your students? Robynne Esther has spent 15 years, including seven within the PYP, unlocking that secret through inquiry-based and project-based learning. She has empowered teachers across Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai to adopt 21st-century learning through engaging IBL/PBL & AI workshops. Currently inspiring young minds at DSHK, Robynne leads Grade 6 Project-Based Learning and teaches Grade 4 Inquiry, fostering classrooms buzzing with collaboration and community. But her journey's even richer than that! She's an AFHEA-accredited mentor who has guided aspiring teachers at Sunderland University and has even spent time as a pastry chef in Hong Kong's Soho district. Robynne brings this uniquely diverse background to her exploration of the fascinating intersection of PBL and IBL. Join her as she shares her insights on their similarities and differences.