Success in learning can be understood as reaching either personal goals (intrinsic) or goals set forth by others (extrinsic). However, for success to be motivating it is important to consider how students explain their successes, for example, if they are due to effort or luck. Success attributed to measures within one’s control, such as effort, can build confidence and feelings of competence that increase engagement. Chapter 6 illustrates this relationship between success and motivation, and offers teacher strategies for promoting student success in the science classroom.
Resources to support teachers in promoting success can be found by clicking on the links shown at right. Resources include handouts and activities, further reading, links to recommended websites, and short (~ 3 minute) video clips illustrating the importance of this concept to practicing scientists and showing exemplary high school teachers who practice the strategies recommended in the book.
1. Attributions
Attribution Observational Checklist for teachers.
Attribution Survey for Students.
Attribution Rephrasing Guide for teachers.
2. Goal Setting
Setting Goals handout for students to use when setting goals and subgoals.
A goal-setting model for helping teens.
3. Self Monitoring
Sample Progress Monitoring of Goals to help students keep track of short term goals and successes:
- Ask students to plan how to achieve their goal when they set the goal.
- Ask them to reflect on why they might have exceeded, met, or fallen short of their goal after they get their actual results.
The downloadable sample shows quiz tracking but this could be used for other assignments.
Self-evaluation Chart to improve student awareness of habits that lead to success. Downloadable sample can be customized for your classes.
4. Science Study Resources
The Khan Academy is a free online multi-subject learning resource for teachers, parents, and students. Go to the science section for an array of tutorials that students can choose to help themselves understand content and complete assignments. This link is also in the Autonomy chapter.
5. Parental Involvement
Newsletter for parents. See Goal Setting under Support Academic Success in the second column.
Parents can help support their children’s success and help them build their confidence. The Archimedes Initiative project features successful science students talking with and about their parents.
Homework help and science opportunities parents can utilize listed on the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information website.
6. Videos about Success
Links to videos about concepts and strategies described in this chapter are found on this page. To learn more about the scientists and teachers featured in these videos, click here where you can read a description and/or select a link to find all video clips of them.
Scientists
Dionne talks about how her teachers’ belief in her boosted her confidence and made her recognize her competence as a female scientist
Dionne shares how her mother’s support kept her going and made her a confident scientist
Sheri talks about how positive teacher-student relationships made her want to work hard and how extra support from teachers can be crucial to student success
Angela talks about how she learned goal setting and the value of hard work from her most influential role models – her parents.
Teachers and Classrooms
Students talk about how their teacher, Deb, provides them with the tools they need to be successful.
Ray provides reassurance, feedback, and instrumental support to promote deeper learning during inquiry projects.
Ray talks about how he promotes student success by assessing student progress and providing help and feedback when and where students need it using technology.
Matt sets students up for success by offering feedback and extra support as needed.
Matt shows his students that even difficult goals can be reached.
