Activating the Desire to Learn

by Bob Sullo

The research is Students are less disruptive and do better academically in schools that cultivate the internal motivation of students. In Activating the Desire to Learn , veteran educator Bob Sullo shows how to apply lessons from the research on motivation in the classroom. According to the author, we are all driven to fulfill five essential to connect, to be competent, to make choices, to have fun, and to be safe. Studies show that when these needs are met in schools, good behavior and high achievement tend naturally to ensue. Written as a series of candid dialogues between the author and K-12 students, teachers, counselors, and administrators, Activating the Desire to Learn covers everything you need to know to change the dynamics of learning in your classroom or
* A comprehensive overview of the research on internal motivation;

* Case studies of strategies for activating internal motivation at the elementary, middle, and high school levels;

* Suggestions on how to assess degrees of student motivation; and

* Guidelines for integrating the principles of internal motivation with standards-based instruction.
Motivating students is not the issue—the hunger to learn is ever-present. Yet schools continue to insist on the traditional reward-punishment model, to the detriment of student achievement. Clearly it's time for change. This engaging and thought-provoking book will help you create a culture of achievement by building on the inherent drive to succeed that students bring to the classroom every day.

Genres: Education, Teaching

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[sAmAnE · Rating 5 out of 5]

به نظرم یک کتاب مفید و عالی برای همه‌ی معلم‌ها بود...
که راهکارهای بسیار خوبی برای اداره‌ی کلاس و داشتن یک کلاس پویا و فعال را در سه مقطع ابتدایی، راهنمایی و دبیرستان بیان می‌کند.
نکات قابل توجه کتاب: داشتن گروه‌های کلاسی و انجام فعالیت‌ها در گروه و اینکه حتما گروه‌ها تغییر کنند تا بچه‌ها بتوانند با افراد مختلف کار کنند و روابط اثربخشی داشته باشند. تقویت انگیزه‌ی درونی در کودکان برای انجام فعالیت‌های کلاسی بجای دادن جایزه و تشویق و تنبیه بی‌مورد. ایجاد حس تعلق و پیوند، قدرت و شایستگی و آزادی در دانش‌آموزان و صدها نکته‌ی آموزشی دیگر برای معلمان....
عنوان فارسی کتاب: برانگیختن شوق یادگیری

[Parker Kulm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book for school - not gonna say much about it cause I have to write multiple papers about it and I don’t want to spend any more time on it. BUT it was a good read that made me feel ever more prepared to handle a variety of learning types and behaviors I will see in my classroom.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addresses student motivation and contains a lot of good suggestions for implementation
Research based too
A+

[Brent Newhall]

Useful, though as with many books like this, light on practical advice. The later chapters are phrased as interviews, but are obviously made up and read in a very dry manner.

[Paniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ایده های کاربردی در همه مقاطع تحصیلی داشت و در کل کتاب خوبی بود.

[Emily]

A required book for class. It was fine.

[Damon Barnhurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was a good reminder to me that in education we often encourage students to learn by bribing with a reward. Whether that be direct or indirect we should make the reward the joy from the learning. I have made the mistake of saying, "Okay kids, let's get this assignment done quickly and quietly, and then I will give you some extra recess time." I believe it is important to teach my students that we can work and than play, but even in just the way it is said to the students could belittle the learning experience. In my example I have just indirectly told my students that the assignment is really just a burden in their way of doing something they would rather do. I was also reminded about the importance of highly motivating assignments- projects!! Projects with student choice and teacher carefully structured content, but flexible enough for student discovery and applications to the real world. This book also reaffirmed the importance of a positive and caring teacher. Another key idea is helping students realize their efforts leading to success and asking them how it makes them feel. More questions for my students instead of me telling them. But this book also reminded me of the importance of letting my students know why we are doing what we are doing. Overall, the book was good. I especially liked the example of a principal who uses internal control psychology and how he comes across as a leader and not a boss towards his teachers. To sum things up, I quote Alfie Kohn from his book Punished by Rewards:
"When you say do this and you'll get that, you devalue the this...If we hope to inspire kids academically and help them see the value and joy in learning, we've got to give up such self-defeating practice."

[Daniel S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Students with need profiles that are compatible with their teachers profiles do very well in that setting. Students whose need to profiles are different often struggle. The most successful teachers structure a learning environment in which all the needed areas are addressed so students can satisfy all their needs. [pg. 40]

Some students see no connection what they do and how they feel. That is the epitome of powerlessness: to believe that our actions are unrelated to our happiness and satisfaction. When we meet such students, our first priority is to help them see a connection between what they do and how they feel. Until students develop a sense of control in their lives, they will be at great risk in virtually every area of their existence, academically and socially. [pg. 91]

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first formal exposure to internal control psychology, and while I really did appreciate the numerous anecdotes to support its adoption in elementary, middle, and high schools, there was very little explanation of how this would actually play out in a classroom, and there was no critical support or research validating the model. This may be a decent text if one is already familiar with internal control psychology, but I didn't find it quite useful enough for me, a novice.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those familiar with sparking intrinsic motivation in students, this book will be a good reminder. For those still vested in extrinsic rewards/punishment/certain ways of grading, take a look at the evidence, case studies, and overview of techniques presented here! Not comprehensive but a great starting place.

[Zane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that discusses various uses of restitution and how it can be applied to both elementary, middle, and high school teachers and counselors and principals. A good look at some real life experiences in the field.

[Linda_pilko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read that is a nice refresher of Choice Theory or could be read as an introduction to Glasser's Choice Theory. Some interesting dialogues throughout which challenge the idea of rewarding learners for working hard.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for some ideas that would be new or groundbreaking to use to motivate students. It seemed a rehash of what has been said before that doesn't seem to be that effective in motivating today's apathetic students.

[Barbara Atlas · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Students are less disruptive and do better academically in schools that cultivate the internal motivation of students." I was excited when I read this book and shared it with my English 8 PLC.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be informative. I would recommend this to someone who is struggling to motivate children to learn without using rewards systems.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me thinking on different ways to approach students.