Graduate-Level Credit / Non-Credit Hours
3 Semester Credits or 45 Clock Hours
Course Description
This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively motivate students who exhibit resistant attitudes such as "I won't," "I can't," and "I quit." Participants will explore the underlying causes of these attitudes, including lack of confidence, fear of failure, and learned helplessness. The course will provide strategies based on the latest educational psychology research centered around the research of Dr. Eric Thomas, Dr. Carol Dweck, and more to re-engage these students, foster a positive mindset towards challenges and understand the importance of classroom engagement. Participants will learn how to implement motivational strategies, adapt teaching methods, and develop supportive classroom cultures to encourage student perseverance and resilience. The course will conclude with participants developing an implementation plan or presentation to demonstrate knowledge and application of how to empower these students in the classroom so they can improve student well-being and performance.
Throughout the course, participants will engage in interactive dialogue through a variety of mediums to receive valuable feedback to reflect on from their instructor. All formative and summative projects are reviewed and graded, and feedback from the instructor will be provided allowing the participant to enhance their portfolio of educational tools/resources to impact their classroom or school community.
Global Outcomes/Goals of the Course
To deepen and/or apply the content and skills of the teacher’s existing professional knowledge base by meeting the following global goals of the course:
- To understand the psychological and emotional factors contributing to student resistance and disengagement.
- To develop strategies for creating a supportive and motivating classroom environment.
- To implement best teaching practices that encourage student perseverance and resilience.
- To explore applications of motivation for students with special needs, various grade levels, maturities, and cultures.
- To explore research-proven frameworks and lesson planning that motivate students and reduce stressors that cause disengagement.
- To collaborate and lead other educational professionals, as well as parents, to improve student learning through the use of best practices in motivational growth.
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