Motivation: Be More Awesome

Who doesn't like this kid! He is so inspiring! 

Throughout this course we have been speaking about different teaching techniques to helps students learn. We have spoken about child development and we have spoken about behavior modifications. During the last portion of this course we have spoken about the constructivist approach to learning. Constructivist believe that students should be active in their construction of knowledge as well as have peer involvement (Woolfolk, 2014). A portion of the consructivist approach involves motivation. In order for the students to play an active role, they need to be motivated by the topic or activity.

I watched the video taken from the website Annenberg Learner about motivation in the classroom. In the beginning portion of the video it shows an elementary class participating in a geography lesson. During this portion of the video the viewer sees the students engaging in the activity. Social interactions are evident throughout this geography lesson. "When kids discover something on their own or with a friend, they feel like they own it. They are very proud of themselves" (Annenberg Learner). I remember as a student if I helped another student I felt important and wanted to assist more of my friends. Even today as a graduate student I enjoy the process of student-student interactions and while some group assignment can be frustrating, you come out of them with more knowledge and a different perspective. Being able to create lesson plans that motivate and inspire students will help in their construction of knowledge. By allowing the students to be an active participant in the process they will have a solid understanding of the content.

Resources

Annenberg Learner. Expectations for Success- Motivation and Learning (Episode 12). 

       Retrieved from http://www.learner.org/courses/learningclassroom/session_overviews/motiv_home12.html

SoulPancake. (2013, September 9). Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students. [Video file].                

       Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlhUcSGqgs

Woolfolk, A. Educational Psychology: Active Learning Edition (12th Ed). Boston, MA: Pearson

       Learning Inc.