Events and Engagements
Designing a Community of Thinkers - Workshop with Dr. Jennifer Chang Wathall & Tania Lattanzio
DESIGNING LEARNING THAT BUILDS UNDERSTANDING, INQUIRY, AND STUDENT AGENCY
Agency by Design: How Strategic Structures and Tiny Shifts Can Build Learner Ownership - Workshop with Tonya Gilchrist and Tania Lattanzio
Agency by Design
How Strategic Structures and Tiny Shifts Can Build Learner Ownership
with Tonya Gilchrist and Tania Lattanzio
📍International School of Schaffhausen, Switzerland
📅October 10-11, 2026
Most educators don't need to be convinced that learner agency matters. You already know. The harder question is: Why does it feel so difficult to actually make it happen?
The answer might surprise you. Agency isn't something you instill in learners. It's something you design for. And the design moves that make the biggest difference are often smaller than you'd expect.
We tend to treat agency like a massive, overwhelming destination—or worse, a "people problem" that requires fixing student motivation. But true ownership doesn't happen by chance, and it doesn't require a total overhaul of everything you do. When we shift our focus from trying to change student behavior to intentionally designing classroom conditions, fostering agency becomes far more approachable, manageable, and sustainable than we think. It's about small, deliberate moves that yield significant impact.
In this highly practical 1.5-day workshop, we'll look past abstract theories and unpack what agency actually looks like when it's built into the fabric of everyday school life. Together, we'll explore the conditions that allow ownership to flourish and identify the tiny but powerful shifts that can transform classroom dynamics—and school culture—from the inside out.
Through collaborative discussions, reflection, and hands-on design opportunities, we'll explore agency through four essential lenses:
Culture and Relationships: Fostering environments where learners feel trusted, valued, and empowered to take ownership
Learning Design: Creating meaningful, intentional opportunities for voice, choice, and real ownership of the learning process
Assessment: Developing practices that build independence, reflection, and self-regulation—cultivating truly "assessment-capable" students
Agency and Contribution: Supporting learners to apply their understanding, take initiative, and contribute meaningfully to their community
You'll leave with a deeper understanding of agency and a clear, actionable toolkit of design moves you can implement immediately—concrete shifts that move your classroom and school culture from compliance to ownership.
This workshop is designed for teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum leaders, and school teams (Kindergarten to Year 10) who are ready to stop waiting for agency to happen and start designing for it.
Reserve Your Spot
Your Investment:
Early Bird: $380.00 USD (Use the code EARLYBIRD26 by September 4)
Standard Registration: $440.00 USD (After September 4)
Workshop Schedule
Day 1: Saturday, 10 October
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Opening Session (Together)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Break
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Session 1
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Lunch
1:45 PM – 3:30 PM Session 2, followed by a 15-minute group reflection
Day 2: Sunday, 11 October
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Session
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Break
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Closing Session
What’s Included:
We want this weekend to be as seamless and nourishing as possible. Your registration includes:
Two Core Texts: A copy of The Little Book of Agency: Tiny Shifts That Transform How We Learn, Lead, and Growby Tonya Gilchrist and Leveraging Deep Learning: Strategies and Tools for Assessment of Conceptual Understanding by Tania Lattanzio and Andrea Muller to ground our design work.
Food and Connection: Catered lunch and snacks throughout the workshop so you can focus on collaborating.
Professional Recognition: A certificate of completion for your professional learning portfolio.
Space is limited. First come, first served.
Leveraging Deep Learning: Assessment of Conceptual Understanding in the PYP
This interactive workshop invites educators to reimagine assessment as a continuous: an ongoing, collaborative process that actively involves students and fuels deep learning. Together, we will explore strategies, tools, and practices that make conceptual understanding visible, purposeful, and transferable.
Designing for Inquiry: Cultivating Curiosity, Motivation, and Engagement
This 2-day professional development workshop will explore the purpose and power of inquiry as a framework for learning. Participants will unpack what inquiry truly is, why it matters, and how it shifts the role of the learner from passive receiver to active constructor of meaning.
Through practical strategies, collaborative activities, and guided reflection, educators will learn how to:
Nurture curiosity and motivation in students
Promote engagement and participation through inquiry
Apply inquiry-based practices across grade levels and subject areas
Develop conceptual learning experiences that go beyond rote knowledge
This workshop has been cancelled and will no longer be taking any registrations: Planning for Purposeful Inquiry (K-8)
Please note that this workshop has been cancelled and will no longer be taking registrations. We hope to return to offer this workshop at another time. Thank you.
Seastar Education and Innovative Global Education are thrilled to announce a very special in person workshop in Singapore
Following the success and positive feedback from last year's "Planning for Purposeful Inquiry" workshop, Tania Lattanzio and Kath Murdoch are thrilled to be collaborating again to bring this professional learning opportunity back to Singapore.
Venue: Australia International School, Singapore 1 Lor Chuan, Singapore 556818
We thank the generosity of the Australian International School for hosting this workshop.
During this 1.5 day workshop, Kath and Tania will draw on their extensive experience of working with schools around the world to support inquiry based teaching and learning
The focus of the workshop is on principles and practices to enhance the planning process, where we will focus on the importance of planning in collaborative teams and how planning can be a creative and dynamic process.
The workshop will focus on:
Introductions, intentions and invitations
Key principles for inquiry planning
Making the most of a cycle of inquiry
Planning with a focus on conceptual understanding
Planning for authentic, collaborative assessment
Pitfalls and pivots in collaboration: strategies to enhance the quality of collaboration in our teams
Cancellation Policy:
Please note if you cancel 2 weeks prior to the event, you will receive a full refund. Any cancellations after this date will not be able to be refunded. You may change the registration participant (e.g., another person not registered taking the place of someone who is) at any time. This workshop will proceed based on registrations if there is a need to cancel the registered workshop participants will be informed a week before the event and will receive a full refund.
This workshop will proceed based on registrations, you will be informed 4 weeks prior to the workshop if it is going to be cancelled, if it is proceeding you will not receive and email.
Timings
22 February 2025
8.30-10.00 Session One
10.00-10.30 Morning Tea
10.30-12.30 Session Two
12.30-1.15 Lunch
1.15-3.15 Session Three
End of Day One
23 February 2025
8.30-10.30 Session Four
10.30-11.00 Morning Tea
11.00-12.30 Session Five
End of Workshop
Registration Fee: US$495.00 per person
As a school if you register 5 people you will be eligible for a 6th person to register for free.
Contact us on tania@innovativeglobaled.org if you are registering five and wish to register a 6th person for free.
Please ensure you state the name and provide the email address of those you are registering for.
Single Subject Learning in the PYP: Bringing Conceptual Inquiry into Action
One Day Workshop Specifically for Single Subject Teachers
I am very grateful for the support of the American International School of Guangzhou for agreeing to host this event.
Date: 11 May 2024
Facilitator: Tania Lattanzio
This workshop has been specifically designed for music, physical education, art and language teachers.
A chance to connect, collaborate and conceptualize with single subject teachers in this one day workshop we will explore the role of concepts and inquiry. We will examine the standards and practices aligned to this and you will be provided with
Workshop Description: Join us for an engaging and dynamic workshop designed exclusively for Single Subject Teachers within the IB Primary Years Programme. This interactive workshop focuses on the core principle of conceptual inquiry, providing educators with the tools, strategies, and mindset needed to foster a deeper understanding and application of key concepts in their teaching practices.
Workshop Objectives:
To understand the significance of conceptual inquiry in the PYP and its impact on student learning.
To consider conceptual frameworks for the teaching of music, physical education, art and languages
To explore practical strategies for integrating conceptual inquiry into single subject teaching.
To facilitate connections among single subject teachers, encouraging collaboration and the sharing of best practices.
To engage in interactive strategies and discussions that model effective conceptual inquiry practices.
To create actionable plans for implementing conceptual inquiry strategies in participants' own teaching contexts.
To reflect and discuss challenges and successes, and share plans with other subject teachers for integrating conceptual inquiry into their teaching.
Cost: US$250.00 per person
Timings:
8.30-10.00 Session One
10.00-10.30 Break
10.30-12.30 Session Two
12.30-1.30 Lunch
1.30-3.00 (Session Three end of workshop)
Cancellation Policy: Please note this workshop will only go ahead if there are enough participants. Those registered will receive a full refund if payment has been made and the workshop does not proceed. Participants will be notified by 29 April 2024.
If you register and cancel after 20 April, please note that you will not receive a refund. If you register and cancel prior to this date you will receive a full refund. Name changes for a registration can be made at anytime prior to the workshop day.
Shekou International School Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Please note that this conference has been cancelled.
Innovative Global Education is excited to be offering a series of on-site workshops at Shekou International School China from 4-5 May 2024. This diverse set of workshops will meet a cross-section of focus areas, roles, interests and year levels. We thank Shekou International School China for its generosity in hosting these workshops.
Please note that this workshop has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Nurturing Curious Minds: Conceptual Learning and Theory Building in the Early Years
This workshop has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Anne van Dam and Tania Lattanzio are excited to be presenting this engaging and insightful workshop designed exclusively for early years educators who are committed to fostering a joy for learning in young children. In this workshop, we will explore the world of conceptual learning and how young children develop theories through play.
Understanding Young Children as Meaning Makers: Young children are natural explorers, constantly seeking to make sense of the world around them. Through play, they engage in profound learning experiences that go beyond simple 'interests.' In this workshop, we will delve into the idea that children are innate meaning makers, and we will discover how to harness their curiosity to facilitate deep and meaningful learning.
Going Beyond Interest to Identifying Big Ideas: As educators, we often hear about children's interests, but what lies beneath these interests? Our workshop will empower you to go beyond the surface and consider big ideas that children are exploring through their play. We will equip you with the skills and tools to uncover the rich, underlying concepts that drive their play-based inquiries.
Online Chinese Teachers Conference: New Dates 5 and 12 November 2022
Please note the conference website is in the process of being updated to reflect the new dates
Innovative Global Education is offering a series of online Chinese Educators workshops as a part of this conference across two Saturdays:
Innovative Global Education 在9月的两个周六，为以中文为教学语言的教育工作者们提供了一系列的讲座，让大家在学年伊始，从自身提高中为学校和学习者们带来不一样的精彩一年。
05 November 2022 and 12 November 2022
This diverse set of workshops at this conference will meet a cross-section of focus areas, roles, interests and year levels. We thank the amazing Chinese educators for their generosity in offering these workshops.
Throughout the conference, there will be opportunities to construct meaning and to connect with others to share ideas and practice. The conference will enable educators to consider their own educational settings and reflect on how what they are learning can be applied to their own setting.
本次研讨会的系列讲座从教育的各个层面进行梳理，充分照顾到与会者的角色，兴趣和所教年龄段的特色。我们衷心感谢几位国际教育业界杰出的中国教育工作者为本次研讨会做出的贡献。
与会者们在参与过程中将有机会构建自己的理解和意义，与他人建立联系，分享想法，并进行实践。通过参与本次研讨会，与会者应把学到的新知识和技巧有机地与自身身处的教育环境相结合，在日后的教学中不断内化，提炼，创造出能够回应自己学校群体和学生需要的最佳化教学。
Dresden International School Germany - 2 Day Onsite Workshop
Innovative Global Education is offering a series of workshops at the Dresden International School Germany from 14 May to 15 May 2022. This diverse set of workshops will meet a cross-section of focus areas, roles, interests and year levels. We thank Dresden International School Germany for its generosity in hosting these workshops.
IGE Early Years Online Conference, May 08-19, 2021 - Materiality, Creativity and the Thinking Child
IGE Early Years Online Conference 2021
Materiality, Creativity and the Thinking Child
A conference that elaborates the important interconnections between cognition, creativity and the material world.
Materiality is a concept that is widely embedded in early childhood education, centred around the notion of children as competent beings from birth, learners who engage deeply in play and exploration as a vehicle for making meaning through experience, relationships and connections with place.
Paid Webinar - Young Children as Thinkers and Theory Builders April 18th & 25th
Join us to learn about how to document and support children's learning processes and thinking. The emphasis is placed on how to build a culture of thinking and curiosity that promotes conceptual understanding and theory building. This revolves around high degrees of intentionality and responsiveness by planning for learning that is open-ended and uncertain and invites children to wonder, explore, experiment and play with ideas and theories.
Paid Webinar - Young Children as Thinkers and Theory Builders 20th Feb 2021
Innovative Global Education Professional Learning: Webinar Presenters: Tania Lattanzio & Anne van Dam
ZOOM Link will be sent 2 days prior to Webinar (This webinar is 3 hours - 1.5 hours over two sessions = 1.5 hours on the 20th Feb 2021 and 1.5 hours on the 27th Feb 2021). Attendees will get access to both sessions.
Focus: Young Children as Thinkers and Theory Builders
Session 1: 20th Feb 2021 From 3.30 PM - 5.00 PM Singapore Time (8.30AM - 10.00 Central European Time (CET)), (6.30PM - 8.00PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)).
Session 2: 27th Feb 2021 From 3.30 PM - 5.00 PM Singapore Time (8.30AM - 10.00 Central European Time (CET)), (6.30PM - 8.00PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)).
Join us to learn about how to document and support children's’ learning processes and thinking. The emphasis is placed on how to build a culture of thinking and curiosity that promotes conceptual understanding and theory building. This revolves around high degrees of intentionality and responsiveness by planning for learning that is open-ended and uncertain and invites children to wonder, explore, experiment and play with ideas and theories.
Guiding Questions
What is theory building?
What is the connection between theory building and concepts?
How does documentation support learning about how a child constructs meaning (the learning process)?
How does documentation support noticing underpinning interests, ideas and theories?
How do we develop units that promote conceptual learning and theory building?
How do you plan in response to theory building and conceptual learning?
The link will be sent 2 days prior to Webinar
Paying Via PayPal
After adding a seat to your cart - when you reach check out you can pay by credit or debit card
Webinar - Considerations for Deep Conceptual Learning
This webinar will look at areas required to promote deep conceptual learning.
• How to develop conceptual understandings
• How to assess conceptual understanding
• The role of provocations in conceptual learning
• How we can follow and build on student interests/theories and wonderings within the conceptual unit
Student Focused Learning: Agency and Inquiry (online and face to face) Online workshop with Tania Lattanzio Timings Singapore Time
The following online workshop will look at the role of inquiry and agency in the elementary classroom. Examples provided will take into consideration face to face teaching and online teaching. The following questions will be addressed as part of the workshop.
Free Webinar - What is Conceptual Learning? This webinar is now full and we will no longer be taking registrations.
Innovative Global Education is excited to be offering this FREE Webinar for teachers new to Conceptual Learning.
Assessing Student Conceptual Learning and Thinking - A Webinar Timings New Zealand Time
This webinar will focus on planning for conceptual learning with an emphasis on assessment. Ideas will be shared as to the how and why of assessing student conceptual thinking and learning. It will look at a model for assessing concepts in the context of both formative and summative assessment. Participants will have opportunity to consider and view assessment strategies and tools that they can implement in their teaching both online and on-site.
Motivation and Curiosity for Deep Conceptual Understanding - Webinar Timings Singapore Time
Here are our guiding questions: 1) Why Do We Need Curiosity and Motivation For Deep Conceptual Understanding? 2) What is Teaching For Deep Conceptual Understanding? 3) How Can We Cultivate Curiosity to Motivate Learners Towards Deeper Conceptual Understanding?
Concept Based Inquiry with Kath Murdoch and Tania Lattanzio - A Video Download
In this clip, well known inquiry learning consultants and authors, Kath Murdoch and Tania Lattanzio will take you through what it means to plan for concept-based inquiry. They tackle the most commonly asked questions that arise in their work with teachers and give practical examples.
Beijing IGE Workshops
Join us for our series of Beijing based workshops - click the link below for individual workshop details.
Beijing: Restorative Practices and Positive Education in an Elementary Setting
Beijing: Differentiation in the Chinese Language Foreign Classroom 照顾学生个别差异的语文教室
Beijing: Conceptual Learning in the Early Years
Beijing: Personalized Leadership: Ability, Agility and Influence
Beijing:Comprehension Based Language Instruction and Strategies in Chinese Classroom 汉语教学中以“可理解输入”为基础的语言教学法及其技巧
Beijing: The Role of Concepts in Planning, Teaching and Assessment for Understanding
Korean IGE Workshops
Join us for our South Korean workshops.
Incheon, South Korea: Creating a Culture of Inclusion for Students with Special Educational Needs: Connecting Inclusive Practices with Best Practices for Student Learning
Incheon, South Korea: Learner Agency
Incheon, South Korea: Let Me Play!—Exploring the role of play, the environment, learner agency in Early Years
Incheon: Project-Based Learning and Inquiry in Middle School Math
London - IGE Workshops
Join us for our series of London based workshops - click the link below for individual workshop details.
London: Documenting to Inform and Transform Learning in the Early Years
London: Planning Conceptually to Focus on Agency, Inquiry and Assessment
London: Innovation, Agency and Inquiry
London: Identifying and Responding to Mathematical Learning in an Inquiry Classroom
London: Play and Learning Environments
