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Tag Archives: motivation
Beyond Slogans and Posters: The Science of Student Motivation
In many cases, cognitive science offers clear teaching advice. You’re curious about working memory? We’ve got LOTS of strategies. Wondering about the limits of attention? Good news! Alas, in other cases, research doesn’t give us such clarity. If, for instance,
The Source of Student Motivation: Deeper than We Know?
Usually I blog about specific research findings that inform education. Today — to mix things up — I thought it would be helpful to talk about an under-discussed theory pertinent to education. This theory helps us at least two ways:
Motivation = “Self-Determination” + Common Sense
Common sense tells us that teachers should offer clear goals and specific feedback. Research supports that guidance, with an important caveat. Continue reading
What (De)Motivates Struggling Math Students?
When teachers focus on their students’ “innate math ability,” what happens to their students’ motivation? Researchers in Germany wanted to find out. Continue reading
The Simplest Motivation Strategy that You’re (Probably) Not Using
Two simple techniques to overcome mundane daily obstacles make it much likelier that our students — and we — will get work done. Continue reading
True/False: Grades Motivate Students to Study Better?
The following story is true. (The names have been left out because I’ve forgotten them.) When I attended graduate school in education, I handed in my first essay with some trepidation, and lots of excitement. Like my classmates, I had
New Research: Personal Best Goals (Might) Boost Learning
Some research-based suggestions for teaching require a lot of complex changes. (If you want to develop an interleaved syllabus, you’re going to need some time.) Others couldn’t be simpler to adopt. Here’s a suggestion from researchers Down Under: encourage your
The Mindset Controversy: Is It Time to Give Up?
Few theories have gotten more teacherly attention than Carol Dweck’s work on Mindset. As you no doubt know, she has found that a “fixed mindset” (the belief that ability and intelligence can’t really change) demotivates people. On the other hand,
Motivation vs. IQ: Which Is More Important?
In the “motivation vs. IQ” debate, the Gottfrieds’ research suggests that intrinsic love of learning sets students on a path to lifetime fulfillment. And, parents can help them get there by encouraging curiosity. Continue reading
Autonomy and Motivation
Self-determination theory, developed by Edward Deci & Richard Ryan, argues that people are motivated by a desire for three things: autonomy, relatedness, and competence. (Here‘s a handy place to brush up on self-determination theory.) This theory suggests that teachers can