Motivation
How can you tell when a student is self motivated? Some students do well, but I doubt their level of motivation.
How do you initiate or quantify this? Do you have your students do a base competency examination on day 1? This sounds really interesting, and I would love to integrate it into my curriculum.
Ali, great job using a technique that allows ALL students to strive towards achieving a prize. Keeping your students all feeling like they have the ability to be the class star is a great motivational strategy.
James Jackson
Early on the course, I will inform my students of a prize to the student who seems to have improved the most throughout the course. This way, the brightest math student doesn't wind up winning every time, and the students who struggle more will still have an incentive to try and get better.
LeTisha, having a knowledge of each student is key. What direct conversations have you conducted with those students you have questions about? What feedback do they provide as to their reasons they are not taking ownership of their education. Remember that some students are simply more mature than others regardless of age. You will encounter 38 year old adolescents and 25 year old adults so focus more on understanding their learning styles and make sure your teaching techniques are appropriate. Happy to discuss in further detail if you are interested.
James Jackson
