...CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The issue of teachers’ motivation and the standard of education has become a matter of debate and concern in educational systems and standards. In most developing countries of the world including Ghana, there has been a growing awareness about teacher motivation which is a key to quality assurance, quality outcomes/delivery and high standards in the educational system. It is acknowledged that any nation that is aspiring to maintain high and quality standards or achieve quality assurance in its educational system must take teachers and their motivational needs with utmost high level of seriousness. Teachers are important instrument in education. They are also the pivot on which the educational process hang. Teachers play a major role in the whims and caprices of the educational system. They can influence the teaching – learning outcomes either positively or negatively because they determine the quality of instructional delivery and also influence quality education when it comes to implementation of the curriculum and educational policies. They are to be considered when addressing issues such as: quality assurance; quality delivery (teaching), quality context and quality learning outcomes (Onucha, 2002). However, they are the custodians of the educational and school systems. Since teaching can be regarded as a systematic, rational and organized process of transmitting knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and what is worthwhile...
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... | |Co-requisites: N/A | |Other requirements: N/A | B. Course Description: This course provides theoretical knowledge as well as practical strategies on educational psychology that student teachers will need to become effective instructors. Various theories of development, teaching, and learning such as human development, cognitive and behavioral development, learner differences, information processing, and learning environments are presented with clear examples and illustrations. Importantly, based on this psychological background knowledge students are able to build up a framework for connecting theory and any educational situations they will deal with later in their own teaching practice. C. Course Objectives: |No. |Course Objectives...
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...sustaining teacher motivation (Luce, 1998). In order to achieve such a daunting task, school administrators must be in tune to the motives and needs of the faculty in an effort to induce particular behaviors (Hersey, Blanchard, & Johnson, 2008). Motives can be defined as needs, drives, or wants within a person that result in an intentional or unintentional goal (Hersey et al., 2008). Determining what motivates all of the people all of the time presents quite a challenge, so a concentration on what motivates most of the people most of the time could be a realistic approach when applying a motivational theory (Razik & Swanson, 2010). The incisive school leader must be aware of the various means to utilize underlying intrinsic and extrinsic factors in conjunction with motivational theories to stimulate a motivational plan that will seek results. The implementation of a motivational theory that maximizes efforts of sustaining motivation among a majority of the staff is at the heart of my plan based on the extremely low levels of motivation within my school environment. I will highlight the self-determination theory and how its implementation can enhance motivation at my school. Self-Determination Theory The self-determination theory offers a structure that looks closely at the factors that influence motivation. According to this theory, the degree to which an environment is controlled will influence the extent to which an individual feels intrinsic motivation toward a particular...
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...OF STAFF MOTIVATION, DISSATISFACTION AND JOB PERFORMANCE IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING Mohammed Abubakar Mawoli Department of Business Administration Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Niger State sabe1120@yahoo.com & Abdullahi Yusuf Babandako Department of Business Administration Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Niger State ABSTRACT This study seeks to ascertain academic staff level of motivation, dissatisfaction and performance at work. The study employed a survey research method to collect research data from academic staff of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria. A total of 141 or 64% of the academic staff of the University were sampled out of a population of 219 academic staff. Descriptive statistical tools were used to measure the research variables. The study reveals that academic staffs are very highly motivated at work and also highly contented with the working environment. The study further revealed that staff performance as it relates to teaching is very high while their performance in the areas of research and other publications is moderate. It is therefore recommended that universities and other tertiary institutions should take the issue if academic staff motivation seriously to facilitate effective teaching and delivery of knowledge. Keywords: Motivation, Teaching Performance, Research Performance, Academic Staff, Uni INTRODUCTION Motivation is the inner drive that pushes individuals to act or perform. Specific theories may propose...
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...Motivation in learning and teaching Introduction Teachers play the first and foremost role in undermining or enhancing the motivation of students. They can facilitate self determination and essential motivation to students if the teachers are in practice of autonomy supporting style. Such a motivation is also likely to create positive consequences among students. The students of such a teacher will be less distracted in their classes and will be anxious to what is being taught. He will be associated with more positive emotions and his learning will be comprehension centered and will be ready to put more effort in his studies. He will gain better grades in class and there is only very less chance for a drop out. Only those teachers who are motivated will be able to motivate their students. Within disciplines of psychology motivation is an important aspect in both teaching as well as in learning. Hence motivation is to be considered from the perspective of both teacher and student. Definition The word motivation comes from a Latin word meaning movement (Steers, Mowday and Shapiro 2004, 379 as cited in degree essays, 2011). Motivation can be defined as the state or internal condition that directs the behavior of a person. It is the process determining the action of a person or the fact on the basis of which a person chooses to act and not to act in another way. According to (Pintrich and Schunk. 1996 ) motivation is directly related to achievement made by a person. An...
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...CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background to the Problem Education has been very important through the ages and it can be defined as an organized and sustained instruction designed to communicate a combination of knowledge, skill and understanding valuables for all activities of life. Numerous groups during this century have identified what they believe the goals of education should be. One of the most widely cited reports is that of the commission on the reorganization of secondary education which in 1918 stated the goals of education as the seven cardinal principles: health, command of fundamental processes, worthy home membership, vocation, citizenship, worthy use of leisure and ethical conduct. Although neither science nor any of the other school subjects was included as one of the seven principles, the role and importance of science in achieving the seven cardinal principles is obvious. The world is fast becoming scientific in thinking and behaviors that without good knowledge of science, it might be difficult for people to adequately function in it. The purpose of exposing children to science instruction right from primary school level is not necessarily to turn them into scientist per se but to provide favorable scientific attitudes of ‘finding out’ and ‘hands-on‘ and to enable them raise questions about things that intrigue them. In a study on the impact of science on the society, Bertrand & Russell (1952) have shown that our time is an age of science. Science...
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...subject is common knowledge. Science has been recognized as a patent means of sharpening our competitive edge. Thus, science holds a dominating place in the curriculum. As mandated in the Philippine Constitution, it is the duty of the schools to develop scientific and technology efficiency among the pupils and the students. Thus, it is necessary to evolve a strong science program in all levels. So, the teaching of science should be effectively earned out so as to satisfy the National Development Goals. Science is a multifaceted subject, limitless in extent and depth, vital for science and technology, and rich in the cultural import. It offers a lot of challenges to an individual. In school, however, some students find the subject dull and difficult. More so, science in general, is even considered by many as uninteresting or boring subject if not difficult or not applicable into their daily lives. The performance of the pupils depends largely on quality of the teaching competencies of their teacher. A competent teacher learns to build effective learning situation and to select teaching methods/strategies to guarantee maximum retention and application of the earning that are achieved. According to Wikipedia, strategy refers to all techniques by which the teachers structure the learning environment so that the students are led to discover what they are...
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...Motivation Theory There are many different populations on which the Motivation theory is used, but the one that stands out the most is students in the classroom. In today’s society there are more and more children dropping out of school because they are not interested or motivated enough to finish. Unfortunately, there is no single magical formula for motivating students. Many factors affect a given student's motivation to work and to learn (Bligh, 1971; Sass, 1989). Teachers in the classroom are faced with many different problems when trying to motivate their students to learn the materials given to them. Problems stem from children not understanding the materials, distractions of home life, personal pastimes and peer interaction often hamper students' ability to focus. All of these problems are addressed through the Motivation theory. Educators can encourage motivation through both traditional and innovative methods. In many cases, motivated students achieve both classroom and personal goals following a concerted effort to encourage self-reliance. Unmotivated students may not want to do the work they are assigned, and are likely to receive lower scores on homework and tests. There are many different techniques and approaches that can be used to motivate children in the classroom to learn and accomplish goals. Researchers have begun to identify those aspects of the teaching situation that enhance students' self-motivation (Lowman, 1984; Lucas, 1990; Weinert...
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...gradually become part of people’s life in recent years. It is believed that digital games, as a catalyst, can be very useful teaching media. According to the Taiwan Institute for Information Industry in 2010 published report of using broadband network. Taiwan's Internet users most commonly used online gaming services (50.28%), the largest proportion of 12-19 years accounting for 83.08%-90.91%. For this reason, teachers must elevate students’ learning ability and knowledge through temporary assistance like information technology. To teachers and students, the meaning of this incoming digital trend counts for more challenges than opportunities. History, a subject about facts, should also be inextricably linked to digital world. Being a junior high history teacher, the researcher found that it would be better to use a lively way-learning by playing-we can use some digital assistance to arouse students’ learning motivation and academic performance. Moreover, traditionally teacher-centered didactic instruction is progressively substituted by student-centered various interactive learning patterns. The innovating digital learning which claims for enhancing learners’ motivation and initiative exploration is available to all. Terms like E-learning, U-learning, Digital Game-based Learning (DGBL) gradually represent information technology integrated into teaching in school. DGBL was first proposed by Marc Prensky in 2001. Through digital games, learners obtain sense of achievement in solving...
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...Subject: Advanced Teaching Methodology Instructor: Dr. Nguyen Thu Huong Student: Nguyen Le Ba Tong Class: TESOL 13B REFLECTION PAPER That ‘teaching is simply the process of transferring knowledge from teachers to students’ is what I used to think. However, since I started studying Advanced Teaching Methodology, my point of view has changed dramatically. The course has provided me with valuable knowledge which not only broadens my horizons but also help me develops my own professional competence. This paper will focus on some main points of the course including theories about learners’ characteristics and influences of the setting as well as important pedagogical approaches and techniques, and demonstrate how they help to shape my teaching style. The very first lesson in the course was about learners’ characteristics. Lightbown and Spada (2006) have mentioned some factors such as ‘intelligence, aptitude, learning style, personality, motivation, attitudes, identity, beliefs and age’ which may affect the language learning ability and the teaching process. Talking about ‘intelligence’ and ‘aptitude’, they explained that individuals have different strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, a method which is effective in teaching a group of learners may prove to be ineffective when applied to another. Learning vocabulary by memorizing, for instance, seems to be suitable for ones who have good memory but not for those who lack this ability. Learners also have different learning ‘styles’...
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...Direct Instruction Vs. Constructivist Instruction [pic] Wingate University ED 530 It is important that educators and parents understand the methods used to effectively educate each student and how they impact student learning. To relay the importance of direct instruction, I would introduce the instructional model as described by the National Institute of Direct Instruction. According to the National Institute of Direct Instruction, “Direct Instruction (DI) is a model for teaching that emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks (http://www.nifdi.org/).” I would describe how direct instruction is a method of teaching considered most effective by various researchers. I would explain how the direct instruction model utilized in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system (CMS) allows students to learn more in less time. To demonstrate the direction instruction model, I would provide parents an opportunity to review the lesson plan format (Appendix 1) as prepared by CMS. Parents will be directed to notice how classes are structured to allow for: link to prior learning, teacher modeling, guided practice, independent practice, closure, and student assessments. Each of these items will be broken down using research based information to explain the break down of learning into smaller increments (Appendix 2) for the direct instruction model. Parents...
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...controversy and debate about teaching of evolution. School boards have been forced to address concerns about good science education as well as conflicting claims about constitutional limitations but a new approach to teaching about evolution has been developed to meet the test of good science and satisfy the courts’ standards of constitutionality. In this case, several people concerns about strong challenges that gets through the society about anti-evolution that it can affect the religious or anti-religious beliefs of a dominant group. The United State Supreme Court precedents that the Constitution permits both the teaching of evolution as well as the teaching of scientific criticisms of prevailing scientific theories. The court focused on Arkansas statute that prohibiting the teaching of human evolution in public schools and universities, no teacher was permitted "to teach the theory or doctrine that mankind ascended or descended from a lower order of animals," or "to adopt or use in any such institution a textbook that teaches.” (Fortas, par 2) This explains the statute was an adaptation of the law at the center of the “Scopes monkey trial” in Tennessee. The Tennessee Supreme Court allowed the state to continue to prohibit the teaching of evolution. The case involved the teaching of biology in Little high school, the administrators adopted a new textbook for the 1965-1966 school year which contained a chapter discussing Charles Darwin and evolutionary theory, and prescribed the subject...
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...THE EFFECT OF SELF-EFFICACY ON MOTIVATION AND ACHIEVEMENT AMONG FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE STUDENTS A Master’s Research Project Presented to The Faculty of the College of Education Ohio University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Education by Joel Weaver July, 2008 Spring Quarter Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction.................................................................................... 3 Statement of problem……………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Research question………………………………………………………..…………………………………………. 4 Significance of study……………………………………………….………………………………………………. 4 Limitations…………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………. 5 Methodology……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………… 5 Organization of body………………………………………………...……………..…………..……………….. 6 Chapter Two: Literature Review……………………………………….………………………………. 7 Understanding student motivation…………………………………………………………………………. 7 Learned Helplessness: A Case Study of a Middle School Student………………………….…. 9 Learned Helplessness: The Effect of Failure on Test-Taking………………….……………..… 10 Factors Supporting School Engagement and Achievement Among Adolescents….… 10 Extrinsic Motivators and Incentives: Challenges and Controversy…………………………. 11 Dynamics of Motivation and Effort for Classroom Assessments in Middle School Science and Social Studies………………………………………………………… 12 Science Achievement and Self-efficacy among Middle School Age Children As Related to Student Development…………………………………………………………...
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...Assignment #4 - Customized Learning Theory B. Wright EDU 501 March 1, 2012 1. Describe your target audience with which you work or expect to work. Before I made the decision to switch careers from corporate America to education, I spent time as a substitute teacher in grades k through twelve. This was an invaluable experience that provided me with the insider’s advantage of the pros and cons of working in every classroom setting from accelerated to special needs, and small group learning to larger class sizes. I have found that I work well in every class room setting. As a substitute teacher, I was one of the most highly requested in my district. Even my superintendent recognized my work and accomplishments in maintaining classroom management and curriculum in the absence of the teacher and regardless of the length of time of the absence. After a year of “subbing”, I was able to identify that high school grade nine through twelve was the age group that I had the greatest success working with. As I mentioned, I was successful at all ages and grades, however, I was able to overcome challenges and barriers that many other high school teacher had difficulty or inability to overcome. Another indicator was listening to the way that teachers speak of their students. Naturally, elementary school teachers cannot cay enough positive things about their students. It is easier to be forgiving with younger children because you understand and expect them to need redirection and reinforcement...
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...Applications of Motivation in Learning Theory Heather McNutt PSYCH 635 12/22/2014 Paulette Pitt Applications of Motivation in Learning Theory When looking into the motivation of learning there are different opinions and the information below will discuss how a non-psychological provider in healthcare uses behaviorism, social cognitive, information processessing, and constructivism to teach and improve the effectiveness in healthy lifestyles. The Thich Nhat Hanh's video shows examples of the four theories and provide an understanding of uses in them. It is also important for the health care providers who live a healthy lifestyle can also use elements of all the learning theories to model and or demonstrate the lifestyle for clients and patients. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles by the Providers When a physical or clinician practices the ideas and theories they preach and or teach to the clients they have it makes a huge difference in the outcome. It allows them to understand show how reaching goals and the achievement process can be helpful. Some studies have even been known to show that the health of general practitioners can aid the prevention of many chronic diseases (Oberg, & Frank, 2009). Health care providers will use the four theories if learning so that they can provide a specific technique or techniques to each patient so it will overlap the mental, and physical health along with physiological health. Theory of Behaviorism Behaviorism is the ability...
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