Project Details

Overview

Part 1

Your team will:

1. Create a website that teaches about your motivation topic and analyzes Calvin from the perspective of that motivational topic.

2. Provide a peer review of two other groups' websites.

3. Give a 10-minute presentation.

In addition, you will submit an individual contributions report.

Part 2

As part of new jigsaw group, you will create an action plan letter for Ms. Wormwood about how she should address Calvin's motivation problems.

The Motivation Theories

• Achievement Goal Theory

• Expectancy Theories (Attribution Theory, Mindset Theory, Self-Efficacy Theory)

• Interest Theory

• Self-Determination Theory

• Self-Regulated Learning Theory

Learning Activities

PowerPoint Resources

Individual Responsibilities Template

Website Instructions

Your group will create a website with the following two sections:

 1. Description of Your Motivational Topic 

 Purpose. To help your fellow classmates understand what your topic is and why it is important.

 Contents. You should provide helpful information about your topic by doing the following:

 A. Clearly describing the main motivational patterns related to your topic. Example: Learned Helplessness is a pattern related to Attribution Theory. I would describe this pattern and provide an example or two.

B. Discussing how these patterns influence learning. Example: A performance-avoid goal orientation has a negative effect on learning. I would describe how this orientation negatively influences learning.

C. Discussing the factors that influence these patterns. Example: I would discuss factors that foster intrinsic motivation as well as factors that undermine intrinsic motivation.

D. Describing effective teaching methods for fostering productive patterns. Example: I would discuss specific instructional methods that could be used to develop self-regulation.

This section should be written with your classmates in mind as the primary audience, so be sure to explain all the scholarly terms you use – make it easy to read and understand!

2. Analysis of Calvin

Purpose: To make sense of Calvin! And to help your classmates learn to apply your motivational topic to real-world situations (or in the case of Calvin, out-of-this-world situations).

Contents. In this section you should analyze Calvin’s behavior from the perspective of your motivational topic. Specifically, you should thoroughly address the following questions:

A. What is Calvin’s motivational pattern? Describe his motivation in terms of the constructs that are central to your motivational topic.

B. Why does he have this particular pattern? Now is your opportunity to try to explain Calvin! Why does he act the way he does? You can address individual factors as well as environmental factors. Your answer should relate to your discussion – in the first section – of the factors that influence motivation.

C. What can the teacher do to foster a more productive motivational pattern? Here is your chance to save Calvin’s academic life! Come up with a thoughtful plan of action for solving the problem. This plan may include changes in curriculum, instruction, assessment, classroom management, or any other relevant area. This plan should be based on your motivational topic. In particular, it should relate to your prior discussion – in the first section – of effective teaching methods, and your analysis of why Calvin acts the way he does.

Once again, your writing should be clear and easy to read. And don’t neglect to do the analysis from the perspective of your motivational topic.

3. Self-Generated Figure

Purpose: Visual representations can be very helpful for conveying information. Plus, I want you to learn how to create figures and embed them in your website and it gives you a chance to be creative.

Instructions: Create at least one figure that helps your classmates understand your motivation theory. This figure can be a concept map, diagram, chart, illustration, or info graphic. It needs to be something you create - not an image found on the internet (but you can search the internet to get ideas). 

Peer Review

Your group will be assigned to review the websites of two other groups. Likewise, your website will be reviewed by two other groups. To complete the review, download and complete the Peer Review Template. 

Here is some advice regarding your reviews:

• Be authentic. You will be asked to assume the role of Ms. Wormwood (Calvin's teacher). Try to do this as realistically as possible. That is, try to review the website as if you are a real teacher seeking help in dealing with Calvin.

• Be a "critical friend." That is, point out weaknesses but do so in a respectful manner.

• Be specific. Refer to particular paragraphs or sentences when appropriate. The more specific you can be, the more useful your feedback will be.

You can split your group up to complete the 2 reviews. My evaluation of your peer reviews will be based on the quality of the comments you provide (the more detailed and thoughtful comments the better). This feedback should help the two other groups improve their websites and the usefulness to other teachers.

Ten-Minute Presentation

Your group will do a 10-minute presentation in which you help us understand  your motivational theory and your analysis of Calvin. 

Be sure to focus on the key ideas and make the presentation engaging. We will read your website so you don't have to present all the information in your website. Activities that help us understand your topic are encouraged. Ten minutes will go by quickly so plan accordingly and practice to make sure your presentation will go smoothly and fit within the time limit.

Your classmates and I will rate your presentation on the questions below. I will average my scores with all the student scores.

1. Was the presentation informative and useful?

2. Was presentation  interesting and engaging?

3. Was presentation well prepared and organized?

Contributions Report

Action Plan Letter

After your websites are completed and presentations given, I will create new jigsaw groups comprised of one expert in each of the motivation theories. In these groups, you will bring your expertise together to write an action plan letter for Ms. Wormwood. This letter will provide her with actionable advice for addressing Calvin's motivation problems based on a synthesis of ALL the motivation theories. Thus, in addition to sharing expertise, you should carefully study each group's website.

The action plan should do two things:

1. Provide specific advice on what Ms. Wormwood could do to improve Calvin’s motivational patterns.

2. Provide a theory-based rationale for each piece of advice. Theory-based means that your rationale (i.e., justification for the advice) is grounded in at least one of the motivational theories. 

Moreover, each team member will have responsibility for one of the aspects of education listed below. This means he or she is responsible for making sure the team provides sound and thorough advice for that aspect. The number of aspects your team addresses depends on the number of people in your group. If you have four in your group, choose four aspects. If you have five, choose five and so on. Here are the aspects of education:

Curriculum: What kind of subject matter should be taught? How much should be covered? How should the sequence of content be structured? 

Instruction: How should the subject matter be taught? What methods and models of teaching should Ms. Wormwood use?

Assessment: How should learning be assessed? What kinds of assessments should Mr. Wormwood use? How should she use and discuss these assessments with Calvin?

Classroom Management: What methods should Ms. Wormwood use to address Calvin's misbehavior during class?

One-on-one Interaction: There are many opportunities Ms. Wormwood has to interact with Calvin, such as when she hands back a test, gives an assignment, or reviews homework. What should she say to Calvin? How should she interact?

Communication with Calvin's Parents: What should Ms. Wormwood tell Calvin's parents? How could they help out with Calvin's situation?

Please write your plan in letter form addressing Ms. Wormwood and write it in language she will be able to understand.