The Science of Learning - What motivates students?

Summary

The 'Science of Learning' series explores how cognitive science insights can enhance teaching methods. It emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset in students, where intelligence is seen as improvable through effort. Teachers are encouraged to praise effort and strategies over innate ability, set learning goals, and use rewards wisely to boost motivation. The series also highlights the role of self-monitoring in learning and creating an inclusive environment that embraces critical feedback as a sign of high expectations.

Takeaways

• 🔬 **Science of Learning Series**: A six-part series summarizing cognitive science research on how students learn and its practical implications for teaching.
• 🧠 **Beliefs about Intelligence**: Students are more motivated to learn when they believe intelligence and ability can be improved through effort.
• 👨‍🏫 **Teacher's Role in Motivation**: Teachers can influence students' beliefs about their potential for growth by praising effort and strategies over innate ability.
• 🎯 **Setting Goals**: Encouraging students to set learning goals focused on improvement rather than performance goals can enhance motivation.
• 🌟 **Self-Determined vs. Controlled Motivation**: Self-determined motivation, driven by interest or values, leads to better outcomes than controlled motivation, which is driven by external rewards or punishments.
• 🏅 **Rewards and Praise**: Teachers control various factors related to rewards and praise, which significantly impact student motivation.
• 🤔 **Monitoring Understanding**: Teachers can help students monitor their own learning through tasks like self-testing or explaining concepts, which can improve their understanding.
• 🧐 **Judgment of Learning**: Students often rely on misleading cues for judging their learning; teachers can guide them to make more accurate self-assessments.
• 🏫 **Creating a Supportive Environment**: Teachers can foster an environment where students feel they belong and are accepted, which is crucial for their learning and self-examination.
• 💬 **Feedback as a Positive**: Teachers can encourage students to view critical feedback as a sign of high expectations and belief in their ability to meet standards.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'Science of Learning' series?

The purpose of the 'Science of Learning' series is to summarize existing research from cognitive science on how students learn and connect this research to practical implications for teaching and learning.

What is the fifth question in the 'Science of Learning' series?

The fifth question in the series is about what motivates students to learn.

Why are beliefs about intelligence important for student behavior in school?

Beliefs about intelligence are important predictors of student behavior in school because they can influence a student's motivation and effort.

How can teachers contribute to students' beliefs about their ability to improve their intelligence?

Teachers can contribute by praising productive student effort and strategies rather than their ability, which can help students believe that intelligence and ability can be improved through hard work.

What is the difference between learning goals and performance goals?

Learning goals are focused on improvement and growth, whereas performance goals are centered on demonstrating competence or seeking approval.

What is self-determined motivation and how does it relate to student outcomes?

Self-determined motivation arises from personal values or pure interest and leads to better long-term outcomes compared to controlled motivation, which is driven by external rewards or punishments.

What factors related to reward or praise does a teacher control that can influence student motivation?

Teachers control whether a task is intrinsically motivating, the type of reward (verbal or tangible), the expectation of the reward, the type of praise (for effort, completion, or quality), and the timing of praise or reward.

Why is the ability to monitor one's own thinking important for students?

The ability to monitor one's own thinking helps students identify what they know and do not know, which is crucial for effective learning.

How can teachers help students to monitor their own learning?

Teachers can engage students in tasks such as testing, self-testing, or explaining, which allow them to reliably monitor their own learning.

Why is it important for students to feel that they belong and are accepted in their learning environment?

Feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance is important because it creates an environment where students are more likely to examine their own understanding and learning effectively.

How can teachers encourage students to see critical feedback as a positive sign?

Teachers can reassure students that doubts about belonging are common and will diminish over time, and they can encourage students to view critical feedback as a sign of belief in their ability to meet high standards.

Where can the original research mentioned in the script be found?

The original research can be found at the website 'w wds for impact org'.