Osipovich,+Sara,+Student+Motivation

= Student Introduction =

= = = = ==Hello! My name is Sara Osipovich, and these are my two favorite people in the world! Spending time and exploring the world with my children, Peter and Ella, and my husband Pete is what I love to do the most!== = =

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 * Education and Career Goals:** My goal(s) are to graduate with my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and apply for the MAT program after graduation. I have always loved working with younger children and would like to teach in a Kindergarten or Preschool setting.


 * What brings me joy?** Many things bring me joy, but spending time with my kids and husband just being silly and enjoying life is my favorite. I also enjoy reading, hiking, and searching out treasures in antique stores and flea markets.


 * What is my greatest fear about being a teacher?** My greatest fear about being a teacher is that I will be caught up in the process of teaching that I will miss the fun and spontaneity of teachable moments.


 * Have I ever experienced a time when something was extremely difficult to learn?** Mathematics has always been a difficult subject for me to understand. I have a hard time finding real world connections to math, and do not understand why I need to know certain aspects of math. I always feel anxious when I am doing math particularly if I have to quick math in my head. I often make simple mistakes when rushed and feel embarrassed when I do.


 * How might this piece of my history help me connect to students with learning differences?** I believe my own experiences will help me connect with students who are unsure and anxious about learning new/difficult material. I have the compassion and understanding of what it is like to have a hard time learning something, and I can show them that with practice and support, amazing things are possible!


 * What do I hope to gain from this course?** I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how to connect meaningfully with students and how to adapt and modify my classroom environment to be fun and appropriate for all my students.

= Introduction of Topic =

I chose to research student motivation because I believe that knowing what makes my students want to learn and what may be impeding their learning are two of the most important aspects of being an effective teacher. I believe this research will help me to gain further knowledge and understanding about the underlying motivational factors students bring from home, and how I can link their individual motivational needs to what I am teaching in the classroom to give them more opportunity for academic success. Motivation is a huge component to the academic achievement of all students, those with disabilities and those without. This assignment is especially meaningful to me, because I have a child who struggles with motivation, researching and implementing ways that can motive him will only lead to meaningful connections between his life and education, hopefully instilling in him lifelong success in learning.

= Top 5 Things I Learned =


 * That every child has a unique set of motivators that impact his/her learning just as teachers do,and it is important to remember to focus on what motivates the student, NOT what motivates us as teachers.


 * Families are an integral part to the motivation of students, both in life and school and teachers need to foster that relationship in a positive way to best benefit student success.


 * How a teacher praises (or does not) his/her students really impacts a student's motivation. Bottom line, meaningful, genuine praise can make all the difference!


 * Rewards and punishments are to be used cautiously and sparingly; if used, ensure that the rewards and/or punishments are relatable to the situation.


 * There is no such thing as a "lazy" student, only students who have not been motivated to learn!

= Top Resource =

= = =media type="youtube" key="fYQwpx-0OVM" height="315" width="420"=

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= = = = This is by far my favorite resource for student motivation! This film covers ways for parents and teachers to find what motivates children and build their learning success from there. I found this video to be a family-friendly resource that does not focus too heavily on "teacher-ese" language so that they may reap the benefit from these tools as well. I like Mr. Lavoie's honest, whole-child approach to working with students and how he promotes the idea that there is no such thing as an unmotivated student, only parents/teachers who have yet to figure out what does motivate them. I would recommend this video to all parents and teacher who are concerned about the motivation of their children/students. I actually enjoyed this wonderful approach to motivation so much, that I will be purchasing it for my own library. = =
 * Lavoie, R. (Actor). Wurzburg, G. (Director). (2008). //Motivation Breakthrough// [Online video]. PBS Video. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from []

= Additional Resources =

= = = = = = = = This article was a wonderful source for identifying and elaborating on particular intervening factors for student motivation. The article details factors that I had not previously considered as motivational aspects and I believe many teachers may often overlook or disregard. The article not only details factors that may impede motivation but also includes parental strategies for improving motivation at home that can be reinforced at school. = =
 * LD OnLine. (2002). Motivation: The Key to Academic Success. In //LD OnLine//. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from []


 * Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed., Richard. "Batteries NOT Included "I Can't vs. He Won't"." 2002: 1-3. Web. 14 May 2012. [].

I absolutely loved this article! The article highlights the myths and facts surrounding student motivation as well as bringing to light the idea that even the most basic needs can drastically effect a student’s motivation. I believe this article really brings an “ah-ha” factor to identifying why students appear to lack motivation; none of which are because the child is “lazy”! This particular article also reiterates the importance of remembering that each child has unique motivators and that one approach to classroom motivation will NOT work for all!


 * Theroux, P. (2004, April 26). Enhance Learning with Technology: Intrinsic Motivation. [Online Exclusive] . Retrieved May 14, 2012, from []

This great article details strategies for enhancing motivation through a multitude of general effective teaching practices as well as how technology can play an instrumental role in improving motivation for some students. This article also highlights Rimm's Laws (strategies for assisting all students in motivation). Lastly, I liked this article because it emphasizes the importance of utilizing many different strategies to improve motivation as well as not trying to make any one particular strategy fit for more than one child.


 * Vanderbilt University. (n.d.). Motivating Students. In //Center for Teaching//. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from []

I found this website to be a wonderful teaching tool for motivation! The website was designed specifically with teachers in mind, and goes into depth about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in students and the advantages/disadvantages of each; I found these portions of the webiste to be particularly helpful in solidifying the differences in my mind. I think this website does a great job of outlining the differences in types of motivation and gives superb examples of how students may exhibit characteristics of each in a classroom.


 * Dominguez, C. (2004, March 11). Involving Parents, Motivating Students. //Schools and Communities//, 1-4. Retrieved from []

What a terrific article to share with families regarding student motivation! I thought this article was an excellent example of just how crucial it is for families to be involved in the motivation process for students. I think this article serves as a stark reminder to educators that families are an integral piece to the motivation puzzle that needs to be respected and included for the benefit of the student.


 * Martin, D., & Tracey, D. (2006, December 14). Motivating Students to Learn., 1-5. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from []

This is an informational sheet as a family handout regarding student motivation. Although the sheet is brief, it brings to light several important points that families need to be aware of regarding the motivational needs of students. What I found to be most compelling about the sheet was the diagram (and further detailed explanation) of the motivational boosters and motivational guzzlers that every child may experience. The premise is to teach awareness that there are "above the line" factors that teachers/families can see as impacting motivation and that there are also "below the line" factors that can impact student motivation. I also like the fact that the sheet includes resources and books that families can use to further explore if need be. .


 * Wright, J. (2012, April 12). Teacher's Praise: An Efficient Tool to Motivate Students. //'How RTI Works' Series//, 1-4. Retrieved May 14, 2012, from []

This article covers an interesting aspect of student motivation that is grossly underrepresented in classrooms across the country, teacher praise. Teacher praise has been identified as a vital component in student student motivation and success in school. The article details the power of certain types of praise and how praise can affect student learning. The article also describes ways that teachers can implement effective, positive praise as part of their daily routines.


 * Wang, S. & Han, S. (2001). Six C's of Motivation. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved May 20 2012, from []

This resource is an article that address the 6 C's of Motivation for teachers to use in a classroom instructional design to increase student motivation. The article and linked powerpoint is based on the six C's of motivation: choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequences. I liked this particular article because it emphasizes the importance of using the six C's but also emphasizes the importance of adapting and modifying the approaches to ensure that every student is motivated to learn. In addition to the article and powerpoint, there is also an interactive video and animated tool to show the wide spectrum of where and how motivational tools fit into a student's learning curve.