Motivation & Hope

Motivation

Motivating students is one of the most difficult aspects of teaching, but also one of the most important. Students who are not motivated will not learn effectively. It is neurologically impossible to think about something you do not care about. Therefore, as educators, we need to ask ourselves:

  • How do we make sure our students are engaged in the content and get them to LOVE what is being taught?
  • How do we create an emotional connection with the material so they can be successful?

Expectancy - Value Theory

Expectancy answers the question, "Can I do this task?" Value answers the question, "Do I want to do this task and why?" In the expectancy-value theory, both expectancy and value play an important role in predicting an individual's future decisions, engagement, persistence, and achievement. According to the Expectancy-Value theory, motivation depends on an individual's retention of positive expectancies and values.

Exploring Expectations of Success

  • The best predictor of success is past success
  • Success is in the eye of the beholder
  • Students must see themselves as successful

Increase the Chances of Success

  • Create activities that are challenging, but not impossible (ZDP: Zone of Proximal Development)
  • Establish clear and reasonable criteria
  • Give corrective feedback
  • Use formative assessments
  • Cooperative learning activities
  • Create anchor charts
  • Set goals
  • Create personalized visions

Hope

Hope improves chemicals in the brain, increases mood and persistence, and increases results in students. Hope is important to academic achievement, and it is a skill that can be developed over time according to research.