-This isn't really a confusion but something I was wondering about the module. In the chapter it discusses learned helplessness by students. When a student has this, how can a teacher help to get the student out of that mindset?
-Intrinsic forms of motivation are most beneficial and appropriate for students when they are required to do work outside of school such as projects or just regular homework. They are best for these situations because the teacher can't go to every student's house and tell them to do their homework. Intrinsic motivation allows the students to believe in their own value of the work that they do. It becomes something that they want to do for themselves as opposed to extrinsic where the students may view the motivation as the teacher trying to control them.
-Some ways to increase intrinsic motivation in students are by having high expectations of them so that they have a sense of self-worth about themselves. If you set high standards and expect that of students, most will rise to the challenge to prove themselves to the teacher. Another thing that can come out of this situation is that if they rise to your high expectations and do well then they have merited praise that you can give them. When you praise them for a job well done on a difficult task, this boosts their self-efficacy and they will want and know that they can do more.
I really like what you said about setting high standards in the classroom but also praising students. I agree that a teacher should set guide lines by letting their students know what they want at the same time as letting them know they are doing well.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to offer a path out of learned helplessness is to offer choice and emphasize control (from the student's perspective). The student IS in control of their own learning, and getting them to realize that is difficult. Through choice, metacognitive strategies, investigating something of interest, or changing factors under their control, and most importantly, PERCEIVING their own progress, they may realize that they do have control and will become more intrinsically motivated.
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