Motivational learning

Estimated Completion Time

  • 29 minutes

Questions to Consider

  • How do different types of motivation affect my learning?

  • What is resilience and grit?

  • How can I apply the Uses and Gratification Theory to make decisions about my learning?

  • How do I prevent negative bias from hindering learning?

Introduction

  • Focus of this section: Increase ability as an informed learner.

  • Exploration of motivation's influence on learning.

  • Transition from passive absorption of information to active learning decisions.

  • Consideration of learning methods and materials based on goals.

  • Persistence is emphasized as a significant aspect of learning.

Motivation and Learning

  • Motivation concepts that relate to learning:

    • Identified as strong factors that contribute to success or failure in learning.

    • Enables engagement with materials that suit individual needs and enhances ownership of learning processes.

Resilience and Grit

  • Definition of Grit:

    • Perseverance toward a task or goal.

    • Drives individuals to keep trying until they succeed, irrespective of inherent talent or abilities.

  • Importance of Grit:

    • Identified as a predictor of academic success and achievement through a study by Angela Duckworth.

    • Findings highlighted that perseverance was more indicative of success than IQ or talent.

Application of Grit

  • Common sayings reflecting grit:

    • “If at first you do not succeed, try, try again.”

    • Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

  • Steps in applying grit:

    1. Goal-Oriented Attitude: Focus on end goals.

    • Acceptance of failures as part of the learning process.

    1. Example of Studying for an Exam:

    • Initial rereading of material, followed by identifying gaps in knowledge.

    • Adapting methods improves understanding and retention:

      • Creating outlines and summaries, checking accuracy against the textbook.

      • Continuous refinement of learning methods until capable of performance.

Grit as an Acronym (GRIT)

  • Paul G. Stoltz's model emphasizing important traits associated with grit:

    • Growth: Propensity for seeking new ideas.

    • Resilience: Capacity to constructively respond to adversity.

    • Instinct: Gut-level capacity for pursuing optimal goals.

    • Tenacity: Degree of persistence in achieving chosen goals.

Collaborative Learning: Getting a Grit Partner

  • Application of grit in broad contexts such as academic degrees.

  • Benefits of collaboration with a grit partner:

    • Accountability increases persistence, especially through challenging experiences.

    • A grit partner can be a peer, instructor, or family member—essentially anybody who inspires motivation.

Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT) and Learning

  • Historical Context: Early beliefs centered on passive learning and media manipulation.

  • Shift in Perspective: Research revealed audiences actively make information choices based on their needs.

  • UGT Definition:

    • Focuses on individual behavior and motivation as drivers for media consumption, now applicable to educational contexts.

    • Teaching students to take control over learning and outcomes by recognizing personal needs in the learning process.

Uses and Gratification Model

  • Assumptions in UGT:

    • Media consumers seek information based on personal requirements.

    • Focus on how the learner’s needs influence engagement with learning content.

  • Terms to remember:

    • Learners are advised to be cautious of unreliable media sources when making learning decisions.

Key Themes in UGT Application to Learning

  1. Social and Psychological Origins: Personal motivations behind why one enrolls in school.

  2. Needs Generation: Goals for better job prospects and career satisfaction.

  3. Expectations: Anticipated outcomes from learning experiences.

  4. Media and Learning Activity: Selections made to fulfill personal educational needs.

  5. Differential Exposure Patterns: How frequency and engagement levels impact satisfaction and success.

  6. Unintended Consequences: Positive outcomes from educational experiences beyond initial goals.

Negative Bias and Combatting It

  • Definition: Negative bias involves focusing on negative rather than positive aspects, hindering learning.

    • Example: Overemphasizing a small mistake despite a high score on an assignment.

  • Strategies to mitigate negative bias:

    1. Awareness: Identify moments of focusing on negatives.

    2. Positivity: Actively seek out and reflect on positive experiences.

    3. Positive Framing: Before starting tasks, identify the positive potential.

    4. Feedback: Use accurate external feedback positively and constructively.

    5. Gratitude Journals: Maintain a record of positive experiences and achievements to counter negative bias.

Self-Analysis Summary

  • Reflect on strengths regarding grit, motivation, and challenges with negative bias.

  • Identify roots of strengths and weaknesses to create improvement plans.