Student Motivation and the Growth Mindset: Addressing Gaps between Research and Practice for the Everyday Teacher
Description
PURPOSE: This study examined why most students lack motivation by the time they reach secondary education and subsequently identified methods to reverse this trend through practical classroom applications. PROCEDURES: A literature review focused on educational psychology and educational history was conducted to create practical classroom guides for increasing student motivation and success. OUTCOME: Research empirically shows that many current educational reforms, supports, and systems are actually undermining student motivation and shifting students into a mindset that can be detrimental to their success in academics and life beyond. Despite this fact, evidence shows that educators can influence students’ habits of mind, motivation, and potential through autonomy-support, self-regulation, and the growth mindset. Although there is a generous amount of literature dedicated to applying this research to educational practices, these suggestions for teachers and schools are mainly theoretical or conceptual proposals and do not provide the means for practical application. To address this gap between research and the everyday classroom, this project offers a solution to the concern with the creation of practical classroom principles, frameworks, and lessons for a secondary level ELA curriculum. IMPACT: When teachers adopt these philosophies and implement the created elements, student mindset and motivation will shift, allowing students to reach greater success and well-being. Creating the spaces outlined in these guides can transform the lives of students, and these classrooms are within reach for any teacher that is willing to reimagine their educational environment.
Student Motivation and the Growth Mindset: Addressing Gaps between Research and Practice for the Everyday Teacher
PURPOSE: This study examined why most students lack motivation by the time they reach secondary education and subsequently identified methods to reverse this trend through practical classroom applications. PROCEDURES: A literature review focused on educational psychology and educational history was conducted to create practical classroom guides for increasing student motivation and success. OUTCOME: Research empirically shows that many current educational reforms, supports, and systems are actually undermining student motivation and shifting students into a mindset that can be detrimental to their success in academics and life beyond. Despite this fact, evidence shows that educators can influence students’ habits of mind, motivation, and potential through autonomy-support, self-regulation, and the growth mindset. Although there is a generous amount of literature dedicated to applying this research to educational practices, these suggestions for teachers and schools are mainly theoretical or conceptual proposals and do not provide the means for practical application. To address this gap between research and the everyday classroom, this project offers a solution to the concern with the creation of practical classroom principles, frameworks, and lessons for a secondary level ELA curriculum. IMPACT: When teachers adopt these philosophies and implement the created elements, student mindset and motivation will shift, allowing students to reach greater success and well-being. Creating the spaces outlined in these guides can transform the lives of students, and these classrooms are within reach for any teacher that is willing to reimagine their educational environment.