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). 

4. Citations

Provide in-text citations and a reference page for all your sources in APA. 

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.

Dowload the Peer Review Template Here

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, you will remain in your current groups to write an Action Plan Letter for Ms. Wormwood. This letter should offer actionable advice for addressing Calvin’s motivation problems by integrating insights from your assigned theory and at least one additional theory.

Each group member will select a different second theory to incorporate into their section of the letter. Since there are five motivation theories in total, groups with five members will represent each theory once, while groups with six members will have one theory represented twice. This approach ensures that your group’s letter includes diverse theoretical perspectives while allowing each member to apply the concepts they find most relevant and compelling.

The action plan must:

1. Provide specific, actionable advice on what Ms. Wormwood or the chosen individual in your scenario can do to improve motivational patterns.

2. Provide a theory-based rationale for each recommendation. Theory-based means that your rationale (i.e., justification for the advice) explicitly references and is grounded in at least two motivational theories (your assigned theory and at least one additional theory).

3. Have an introduction and conclusion to the letter. Assign one or two people for this task. This approach will help provide the context at the beginning and provide a summarizing reflection at the end. The idea is that all advice is part of a single, comprehensive message.

Each team member will take responsibility for one aspect of the Action Plan Letter. This means that each person is responsible for ensuring the group provides clear, well-supported recommendations for that aspect. The number of aspects your team addresses will depend on the number of members in your group (e.g., four members = four aspects; five members = five aspects, and so on).

Depending on your assigned scenario, choose from the list that best fits your context:

Educational Context (e.g., Calvin): 

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

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

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

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

5. 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?

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

Non-Educational Context (e.g., Tigger):

1. 1. Goals and Activities: What goals, tasks, or pursuits should be prioritized to sustain motivation?
      
      

   2. Strategies and Support Methods: What strategies, feedback, or encouragement should others provide?
      
      

   3. Reflection and Feedback: How should progress or performance be reviewed constructively?
      
      

   4. Behavioral and Environmental Management: How can challenges, setbacks, or impulsive behaviors be addressed?
      
      

   5. Interpersonal Relationships: How should others communicate or interact to strengthen motivation and belonging?
      
      

   6. Community or External Support: Who else can contribute to sustaining motivation, and how can they be involved?

 Please write your plan in letter form addressing Ms. Wormwood or chosen individual and write it in a language that either person will be able to understand. 

Here are examples of action letters from a previous class