THIS ISSUE: Classroom Motivation

Dear Arizona Promising Practices Subscriber,

Welcome to another online addition of the Arizona Promising Practices forum. For those new to this service, each issue, which will now be sent to you on a regular basis, will focus on:

(1) Recommended National Education websites; and

(2) One promising practice article in condensed form. We welcome your recommendations for improvement to this forum or suggestions on future topics (these will be wide ranging so if nothing in this update interests you, hold on for future editions!)

The Arizona Promising Practices Forum and website, www.azpromisingpractices.com is a FREE resource of the Arizona Department of Education.

In this issue of the Promising Practices Forum we have been asked to identify tips to improve student motivation. This practical guide will assist educators or all levels in increasing student motivation for success.

Promising Practices

Indeed, most of these time-honored suggestions apply
to any course students find hard and boring

Rule 1: Emphasize the most critical concepts continuously (reiterate these concepts in lectures and assignments; include questions on every exam).

Rule 2: Provide students with a "visual aid" (explaining abstract concepts).

Rule 3: Rely on logic when applicable (a "fact" must be memorized while "logic." employs thinking).

Rule 4: Use in-class activities to reinforce newly presented material (allow the students to put the concept into action by completing an in-class assignment).

Rule 5: Help students create a "link" when teaching something new (the new material is linked to something already learned).

Rule 6: Recognize the importance of vocabulary in a course (present "real-world" definitions and alternative terminology in addition to textbook definitions).

Rule 7: Treat students with respect.

Rule 8: Hold students to a high standard.

 

Students must be treated with respect and held to a high standard
and they will give you their best efforts.