We specifically discussed the students' use of the writing center. I also mentioned that I offered office hours to help students on their first long paper and no one came. In that moment it was easy to become discouraged and conclude that in general students do not care. However, when I offered office hours again a couple days later, I had several students come by for help. So perhaps the problem here is not motivation but procrastination? Either way, the entire grading system itself serves as an example of poor student motivation. Unlike graduate students, if undergraduates are asked to do an assignment that does not have a grade attached to it, they will not do it. Thus, it seems to me that we must force students to understand how important a well-rounded education is, before we can expect any work from them. Although, what happened to taking pride in one's work just for the sake of it?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Student Motivation
Our discussions in class this week made me begin to ponder student motivation, or I should say their lack of motivation. I saw a news special last week on secondary education in the countries who's students rank highest. Most of these nations had better qualified teachers; for example, all of Singapore's teachers graduated from the top 10 percent of their class. However, the students of these countries also seemed to have a better value and understanding of the worth of education. They knew that to get anywhere in life, education is the key. Perhaps it is because our average standard of living is so high, but for some reason our students do not understand the peril of a life without a good education. They seem to believe that whether they do well in school or not, they will be just fine. Yet a student in India, only has to glance out their window to be reminded of their motivation in education.
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Nice to think about student motivation. Ultimately, just as audience is important in writing, students are our audience, and it's our job to figure out what motivates them. Grades, certainly, and immediacy of relevant knowledge. Might look up the concept of andragogy. What is it?
ReplyDeleteI think students showed up to your second office hours because they knew the deadline was closer and they felt a sense of urgency.
ReplyDeleteA lot of this probably stems from the sense of entitlement this generation of students feels. Maybe it is their parents too that give them this sense of entitlement. I do not know how old everyone's parents are, but mine are almost 60; my Dad grew up working since he was 10, he worked throughout his undergrad, and he has almost always been self-employed. I have never even been given the chance to take my education for granted, and I understand that if I am paying for a class, I had better get the most out of it.
Then again, I am sure there are some very well off students who are not typical of this generation of freshman. Maybe it is not financial at all.
I think one of the biggest problems in this country, or this city at least, is in the district offices. I have been told on several occasions that I will not be hired as a sub within LISD because I have a master's degree; they can pay people with the minimum amount of college hours a lot less. Other districts in the area hire teachers (on the elementary level anyway) who have nothing more than a high school diploma, zero college hours. That bothers me. How can anyone expect excellence from students when they aren't given excellent teachers? I know I'm preaching to the choir here; I'm just so bothered by the lack of concern school districts show for their students.
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ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a common language. The language of the teacher should be clear enough for the students to understand what is going on in the class. However, I believe that the language or vocabulary that the teacher uses must vary throughout the lecture, and can be new, and in this sense, difficult for the students. This helps especially in language classes. If the language is always with the level of the students', they will not be able to learn something new.
ReplyDeleteI am extremely sorry, but I do not know how this happened twice. The above comment was for Hannah's October 29th post.
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