I.
I. Motivation
a.
a. It
is important to consider the effect that motivation has on:
i.
i. Creativity
of students
ii.
ii. Processing
of information
iii.
iii. Analytical
thinking
b.
b. One
of the most important aspects of looking at motivation is noting the behavioral
direction the student reflects in their work
i.
i. Approaching
school challenges or avoiding them
ii.
ii. Quality
of student involvement and thinking (student might be responsive, intuitive,
creative)
i.
II. What
is a goal, anyway?
b.
a. Self
worth is a vital key in motivation and student achievement
c.
b. Students
awareness of their own individual abilities can effect their achievement
d.
c. The
more a student focuses on their self, the less likely they will be to absorb
themselves fully in their tasks
a.
III. Emotions
b.
a. Emotions
can play a vital role in student achievement and are often overlooked
i.
i. Students
may experience a “hope of success” or even “fear of failure”
i.
IV. Context
b.
a. Student
achievement is just as likely to happen as individuals as in groups, but it has
yet to be thoroughly studied
c.
b. Goal
theory is not dead but in the authors opinion needs to be reexamined
o Goal theory is the dominant perspective on achievement in education.
o Possible definitions of motivation: having choices to engage or not engage in a task
§ This includes level of intensity while doing a given activity
o Students process learning materials through critical thinking, deep processing, and creativity
o Motivation deals with the direction of behavior- approaching or avoiding
o Approach-avoidance goals should be seen as alternative objectives determining the choice to do or not do something when students determine the purpose and meaning of an activity
o In achievement, the objective is to demonstrate competence in an area.
o Task and performance goals- broad interpretive frames that focus either on self or on the activity being done.
o Performance goals make students more self-aware or self-conscious
§ This leads to either avoidance or approach objectives
o Emotions play a role in motivation as well
o Achievement often occurs in group settings, so the effects others have on motivation need to be taken into account as well.