Ch. 7 Student Motivation and the learning environment: Theorists and Theories to Know

Question 1

David Ausubel

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 1

Theory: Advance Organizer

It is a teaching technique introduced before learning begins and is designed to help students link their prior knowledge to the current lessons’ content (for example: semantic webs. KWL charts, and concept maps).

Question 2

Albert Bandura

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 2

Theory: Modeling

Also known Observational learning. It requires several steps:

1. attention: attending to the lesson.
2. retention: remembering what was learned.
3. reproduction: trying out he skills or concept.
4. motivation: willingness to learn and ability to self-regulate behavior.

Question 3

Lee Canter

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 3

Theory: Assertive discipline

Teachers clearly communicate expectations and class rules and follow through with expectations. Students have a choice to follow the class rules or face consequences. If a child chooses not to follow a rule, he or she will have to experience the consequences of that action

Question 4

William Glasser

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 4

Theory: Choice theory (also known as control theory)

Teachers focus on students’ behavior, not students, when resolving classroom conflicts. Teachers who subscribe to choice theory use class meetings to change behavior in the classroom. Students who have a say in the rules, curriculum, and environment of the classroom have greater ownership of their learning. This approach emphasizes creating a safe space to learn and is designed to promote intrinsic motivation to learn and to behave in the classroom.

Question 5

Jacob Kounin

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 5

Theory: With-it-ness

Teachers must have with-it-ness, or an awareness of what is happening in their classrooms, in order to manage their classrooms well. In addition, teachers must pace their lessons appropriately and create smooth transitions between activities.

Question 6

Abraham Maslow

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 6

Theory: Hierarchy of needs

Maslow is known for establishing a theory of a hierarchy of needs, in which certain lower needs must be satisfied before higher needs can be met.

1. physiological needs
2. safety needs
3. love and belongingness needs
4. esteem needs
5. self-actualization

Question 7

Ivan Pavlov

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 7

Theory: Classical Conditioning

Pavlov conducted classical conditioning experiments with dogs in 1920s. He found that dogs naturally salivate in an unconditioned response (one that is naturally occurring) to the unconditioned stimulus (one that automatically produces an emotional or physiological response) of food. Many people credit Pavlov for the experimental basis of behaviorist learning theory.

Question 8

B.F. Skinner

What is his theory and what does it involve?

Answer 8

Theory: Operant conditioning

Skinner is thought of as the grandfather of behaviorism, because he conducted much of the experimental research that is the basis of behavioral learning theory. His theory of operant conditioning is based on the idea that learning I a function of change in observable behavior. Changes in behavior are the result of a person’s response to events (Stimuli). When a stimulus-response is reinforced (rewarded), the individual becomes conditioned to respond.