« Self-efficacy | Motivation Theory »
November 10, 2005
I Give Up ... sort of
I've been preaching, yes that's the right word, preaching, to my class this quarter that what they learn is far more important than their grade. I'll bet I've said that 20 times, so far, in one way or another. So, how's it turned out?
Which was the most active session all term? In which meeting did I have their complete and focused attention? In which session did they stumble over one another to be able to ask the next question? To rush to tell me they didn't understand a term or concept? In which session was everyone wide awake, anticipating my next glorious statement? Yes, you guessed it. The review session just before the exam. I held it at night, apart from scheduled class, and even still it was the best session all term.
I give up. I've decided to pay attention to the Dweck and Elliot research. My students, juniors, are motivated by grades (performance approach). That's just the way it is. Few are mastery learners (the MBA students are, but they have more job and life experience), and I now admit my preaching won't turn them into mastery learners.
So I changed my tune: For the rest of the term, I'll pose 4 to 5 questions (these are questions that they would be likely to ask if they were motivated by mastery). The final will be taken from that complete list of questions from all class sessions. Hence, from now on, every class will be a review session. The goal questions will form the exam. Am I caving in? Is this prostitution or practicality?
Posted by DavidK at November 10, 2005 07:18 PM | Permalink