Chapter 1
Students as Learners
Course: Principles Of Learning And Teaching Grades 7 12 5624
Subject: Principles Of Learning And Teaching Grades 7 12 5624
Chapter: Students As Learners Of Principles Of Learning And Teaching Grades 7 12 5624
Motivation and classroom environment strongly influence engagement and achievement. Understanding behavioral theories and creating supportive settings helps teachers foster student learning.
Behavioral and Motivational Theorists
Several theorists provide frameworks for understanding motivation:
- Thorndike’s Law of Effect: Behaviors followed by positive outcomes are repeated.
- Watson: Emphasized environmental control of behavior.
- Maslow: Unmet basic needs interfere with learning.
- Skinner: Reinforcement shapes behavior.
- Erikson: Identity development and social needs influence adolescents.
Motivation Theory in Practice
Motivation is enhanced when students feel autonomy, competence, and relatedness (self-determination theory).
Other factors influencing motivation include:
- Attribution theory: How students interpret success and failure.
- Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation: Intrinsic motivation supports deeper learning.
- Cognitive dissonance: Can encourage deeper thinking.
- Reinforcement: Shapes behavior; punishment alone is rarely effective.