Visible Learning Artifact

Agile Learning Backlog

A simple visual tool that helps students set, refine, and prioritize learning goals so the next step is clear.

Best for
  • Classroom
  • Visible Learning
  • Student Ownership
  • Learning Sprints
  • PBL
  • Goal Setting
Use During
  • Refine
  • Plan
  • Check-In
  • Review
  • Retrospect
Download for freeBrowse all resources
Agile Learning Backlog — a visual tool for setting, refining, and prioritizing learning goals.

What it helps with

Turn learning goals into visible next steps

Students can see what they are working on now, what is coming soon, and what can wait.

Prioritize without losing good ideas

The backlog gives goals, tasks, questions, and learning needs a place to live before they become the next focus.

Support student ownership

Students learn to make choices, update priorities, and talk about progress with more clarity.

Preview the template

Preview of the Agile Learning Backlog template layout.
A printable visual tool students use to capture, sort, and prioritize learning goals and next steps.

When to use it

  • At the start of a project or Learning Sprint
  • When students need to choose or prioritize next steps
  • During check-ins and coaching conversations
  • When goals, tasks, or questions are scattered across notebooks, docs, or conversations
  • When a class needs a visible queue of learning work

How it works

  1. Capture

    Add goals, tasks, questions, skills, or learning needs to the backlog.

  2. Sort

    Place items into Next, Soon, or Later so the work has order.

  3. Choose

    Pull a small number of items into the current Learning Sprint or work cycle.

  4. Update

    Revisit the backlog during check-ins, reviews, and retrospects as learning changes.

Why the Learning Backlog works

Learning gets easier to own when students can see it. The Learning Backlog gives unfinished goals, questions, and next steps a visible home. Instead of everything feeling urgent, students can separate what matters now from what can wait. That makes planning, coaching, and reflection more concrete.

Skills & Alignment

This resource supports student ownership, communication, collaboration, reflection, planning, and continuous improvement. These are suggested connections, not a formal standards alignment.

IB Learner Profile

  • Thinkers
  • Reflective
  • Principled

IB Approaches to Learning

  • Self-management skills
  • Thinking skills
  • Communication skills

21st Century Skills

  • Initiative
  • Self-direction
  • Critical thinking
  • Collaboration

Inquiry Practices

  • Goal setting
  • Questioning
  • Reflection
  • Revision

What's included

  • A printable Learning Backlog template and supporting download files for classroom use.
  • Tool

    Agile Learning Canvas

    A one-page planning and tracking tool that helps students see goals, tasks, progress, feedback, and reflection in one visible workspace.

    View resource
  • Guide

    Agile Educator Guide — Extended Edition

    The entry point into the Agile Classrooms framework — routines, artifacts, and learning cycles for real classrooms.

    View resource
  • Routine

    Routine #1 — Refine Guide

    Help students review and update learning goals before a sprint.

    View resource
  • Routine

    Routine #2 — Plan Guide

    Help students plan the next slice of learning work with clear goals and shared commitments.

    View resource
  • Routine

    Routine #3 — Check-In Guide

    Short, focused team check-ins that surface progress, blockers, and next moves.

    View resource
  • Bundle

    Agile Classrooms Teacher Resource Bundle

    The full set of Agile Classrooms guides, routines, canvases, and feedback tools in one download.

    View resource

Ready to make learning goals visible?

Download the Agile Learning Backlog and give your students a simple, visual way to set, refine, and prioritize what comes next.

Download for free