Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Theory
and
Techniques
Motivation Research Highlights (Brophy)
1. Supportive, appropriate challenge, meaningful, moderation/optimal.
2. Teach goal setting and self-reinforcement.
3. Offer rewards for good/improved performance.
4. Novelty, variety, choice, adaptable to interests.
5. Gamelike, fun, fantasy, curiosity, suspense, active.
6. Higher levels, divergence, dissonance, interact with peers.
7. Allow to create finished products.
8. Provide immediate feedback, advance organizers.
9. Show intensity, enthusiasm, interest, minimize anxiety.
10. Make content personal, concrete, familiar.
TREASURE HUNT
INSTRUCTIONS: Write your name on the first line. Circulate around the room finding
one trait you have in common (i.e., "newcomer to city") and one item quite dissimilar
(i.e., "has worked for same organization over 10 years" vs. "third job this year!")
1. Student Interest - Motivation can be increased by relating the subject to what interests
the student outside of school. Examples are videos, music, games and allowing
students to select class activities.
2. Student Needs - Students are motivated when the activities they are involved in meet
some of their basic needs. An example is allowing high school students to work in
groups fulfilling the need for acceptance and belonging.
3. Novelty and Variety - Motivation is increased when activities are varied and
interesting. Research shows that it is better to give two 15 minute lectures with a 5
minute activity between them than to give a 30 minute activity afterwards.
5. Student attributions for Success and Failure - Teachers must show students that
failure is a result of lack of effort or an ineffective strategy, not ability. Students must
be shown that success is the result of both ability and effort.
6. Tension - Tension is a feeling of concern a student has when he or she knows they
will be required to demonstrate learning. Teachers can raise the tension-level by
moving around the room, calling on volunteers, and giving quizzes.
7. Feeling tone - Feeling tone is the climate in the classroom. Feeling tone can be made
positive by treating students in a courteous manner, expressing sincere interest in the
students and getting to know the students.
9. Encouragement - Teachers often point out all of the negative aspects of a student's
work. Encouragement emphasizes positive aspects and communicates positive
expectations for future behaviors.
Highlights of Research on Strategies for Motivating
Students to Learn
Research on student motivation to learn indicates promising principles suitable for
application in classrooms, summarized here for quick reference.
— Jere Brophy