Challenging Students to Learn: How to Use Effective Leadership and Motivation Tactics(The Concordia University Leadership Series)

Challenging Students to Learn is an inspirational guide with many practical principles and strategies for leading and motivating students that are based on years of study and in-service training programs on leadership and motivation. These tactics are effective in public and private elementary and secondary schools and also universities for teacher preparation programs. They are practical and useful techniques that can be used by any educator and can help teachers motivate students to perform academically, improve their behavior in the classroom, and develop better attitudes toward education. David R. Tomal describes 101 ways to motivate students, including tangible and intangible awards, instructional strategies, classroom management, and positive relationships. The use of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors, positive reinforcement, good classroom management, and effective instruction and curriculum, and fair discipline are just some of the topics covered. The advantages and disadvantages of many of these factors are discussed, and examples are given where these strategies have been applied in schools.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Leading Students Chapter 2 Motivating Students Chapter 3 Motivation and Incentive Systems Chapter 4 Communicating With Students Chapter 5 Motivating by Negotiations Chapter 6 Motivating by Teacher Countertactics Chapter 7 Special Motivational Situations Chapter 8 101 Ways to Motivate Students Chapter 9 Appendix A: Teacher Motivation Styles Inventory Chapter 10 Appendix B: Personality Style Inventory Chapter 11 Appendix C: 50 Statements to Motivate Students

About the Author :
Daniel R. Tomal, Ph.D. is professor at Concordia University in Chicago, teaching educational leadership and research. He is a consultant and an author of nine books including Discipline by Negotiation: Methods for Managing Student Behavior (1999) and Action Research for Educators (2003), a Choice Outstanding Academic Title in 2004, both by Rowman & Littlefield Education, and has made guest appearances on many national radio and television shows.

Review :
This is a thoughtful and comprehensive volume refining our understanding of the links between leadership strategies and student motivation. The practical strategies offered make this a fascinating book that will indeed provide new insights into everyday classroom life issues. It is an invaluable resource for educators no matter their level of experience. An outstanding resource for students and teachers…the most through resource on motivating students that I have ever seen. This is a reference that teachers and administrators alike should keep handy on their bookshelf.… This is one of those very few books that I will pick up to read again and again. I believe all who are involved in the educational community will greatly benefit from this well-written and well-researched book that deals with the "what" and, more importantly, the "how to" regarding what is right and makes sense for today's teachers and administrators who are on the line everyday. Dr. Tomal has written another book that is a valuable education resource on motivating students. The book is filled with quality research with great attention to detail on various leadership, communication, and motivation models that teachers and administrators can use to assist in bringing out the intellectual gift possessed by all students. Challenging Students to Learn by Dr. Daniel R. Tomal is a book that should be required reading by all instructors, administrators, and education students. This book is a sure winner for student enhancement…..strategies for motivating students which educators can effectively use to achieve high academic performance. Challenging Students to Learn provides the practitioner with the breadth and depth of both the knowledge and skills necessary to discover and press the magic buttons that will result in the desired developmental outcomes of the students. I recommend this book to any professional who wishes to connect with their students and enhance their ability to grow mentally, emotionally, and physically. Tomal describes leadership strategies that teachers and administrators can use to motivate students to perform academically and improve their classroom behavior. Though many of the strategies have their origins in the field of business management, each chapter contains examples of the application of the underlying theories in the educational setting. Topics include (for example) active listening, negotiating tactics, disciplinary methods, and conflict management.