Motivation to Learn: Transforming Classroom Culture to Support Student Achievement(Classroom Insights from Educational Psychology)

Harness the power of motivation to transform the learning experience!   When properly channeled, motivation propels learning forward. Yet teachers across all grade levels and disciplines struggle to recognize and cultivate this dynamic, social force in the classroom. This essential resource proves that all students are motivated to learn, and provides authentic tools to create and sustain a classroom community that is highly engaged. You’ll discover: Reflection activities that promote student voice and self-efficacy as well as assess existing motivation levels Case studies and best practices based on current motivation theory and research Strategies to design meaningful learning tasks and build positive relationships with students and colleagues This practical guide, aligned with Race to The Top Initiatives for teacher evaluation and Common Core Standards implementation, shows educators not only how to identify and harness motivation but also to sustain it over time. This is the one resource that will engage you in the thoughtful exploration of motivation and provide you with field-tested strategies that actively involving students, teachers and the whole school. "The information and reflective exercises presented here allow a faculty to come together, tap into core beliefs, and create a culture of classroom motivation that energizes the entire school." —Melanie Mares Sainz, Academic Coach Lowndes Middle School, Valdosta, GA

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Understanding Student Motivation Section Introduction 1. What Is Motivation to Learn? 2. How Do Teacher Beliefs Influence Motivation? Section 2: Classroom Practices and Strategies to Support Motivation Section Introduction 3. Promoting Student voice 4. Designing Meaningful Learning Tasks 5. Promoting Challenge With Success 6. Building Positive Relationships Around Learning Section 3: Maintaining and Sustaining Motivation Section Introduction 7. Sustaining Motivation Over Time 8. The Social Context of Motivation 9. Maintaining Self-Motivation Appendix Glossary of Key Terms References Index

About the Author :
Michael Middleton is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department at the University of New Hampshire where he researches and examines the relation of classroom and culture to adolescent identity and motivation in diverse community settings. Currently, he holds the John and H. Irene Peters Professorship in Education to support his teaching, research and service and has been a recipient of a UNH Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. Primarily,  his teaching focuses on the preparation of educators to meet the complex demands of classroom teaching.  Early in his career, Michael was a high school mathematics teacher working with at-risk youth.  He currently lives in New Hampshire with his son. Kevin Perks is a program and research associate with Learning Innovations at WestEd who works with schools and districts across the country to support motivation, engagement and achievement in such areas as standards-based education, literacy, and educational reform. Most recently, Kevin has been working with districts to support the implementation of the Common Core State Standards across all content areas. Kevin began his career in Ohio where he taught at a private school dedicated to addressing the needs of under-served learners with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Since then he has taught a variety of subjects from K-12 to the university level. Kevin currently lives in Maine with his wife and daughter.

Review :
"Motivating students is a complex task.  Motivation to Learn: Transforming Classroom Culture to Support Student Achievement is an excellent user friendly resource highlighting and illustrating how to navigate through this task step by step, verifying that it is a continuous process for both students and educators." "The desire to understand motivation begins with the practitioner. Teachers who read this book will be invited to reflect and draw on best practices as the authors scaffold the process with research, scenarios, and supportive tools. Follow the process and the culture of motivation will change in the classroom." "The information and reflective exercises presented here allow  a faculty to come together, tap into core beliefs, and create a culture of classroom motivation that energizes the entire school." "Provides a set of guiding questions and considerations that will serve as proverbial ‘guardrails’ for those working in schools seeking to translate motivation principles into effective strategies. This book has a place on the desks of teacher educators, educational and developmental psychologists, as well as students seeking further advancement."