Teaching Methods for Self-Determination Theory

• • Giving choice

    • Giving limited choices (having options 3-5 options, no more than 5) (base it off projects)

    • providing open ended projects 

  • Interesting things to do

    • Connect to the student's interest: if they like dinosaurs, let them write about dinosaurs while still following the guidelines

  • A structured agenda and clear classroom goals

    • Write the to-do list everyday

    • Have the schedule always posted and visible

  • Provide opportunities for students to talk 

    • Ask questions - listen

      • Not just about the classwork, but about the student. Get to know them

  • Rely on more informational and less controlling language 

    • Give constructive feedback

      • "I love how you include ___ in your paper, but you could tell the story better if you included ___ or even ___." 

      • NOT "You did this wrong; you have to do it this way."

  • Create opportunities for students to work in their own way 

    • Give choice in project

      • They could make a video, write an essay, tell a story - there are a lot of ways the student can get the information to you in a way that makes the assignment more fun

    • Allow for all learning styles - kinesthetic, visual, auditory, etc.

• • Giving positive and genuine feedback 

    • Be responsive to students' questions and comments, don't brush them off, just find a good time to answer them. 

  • Optimal challenges 

    •  Making sure an ask isn't too easy or impossibly difficult

    • Provide conducive hints when a student feels stuck, dont give immediate answers

  • Promote growth mindsets

    • Give daily affirmations

    • Give praise where it is deserved!

Things that contribute to a positive environment include:

• • Positive interpersonal relationships with other students and the teacher

• Being up to date with student's lives outside of school such as extracurricular activities, hobbies, upcoming events

• • Intervening with alienated students

• Greeting students individually at the door

• Creating a community (see below)

• • Creating a community 

    • Create rules together

    • Establish respect and what it means in the classroom

  • Relating content to personal experience

    • Get to know your students and their background

      • Connect to other cultures, languages, etc. 

  • Communicate acknowledgement of different student perspectives. 

    • Encourage students to share their perspective