Theories of Motivation

Videos

The following clips are taken from the Carl Harris Video Ethnographies. These video cases were created to provide examples of teaching practice to preservice teachers.

The Larry Beaudin Case

Larry Beaudin is teaching a writing workshop to his 4th grade students. Watch the clips and think about the following questions:

  • What principles of motivation does the teacher employ?
  • How effective are these approaches?
  • Are there other principles of motivation that might be more effective in this situation?
  • Would you use these methods in your classroom? Why or why not?

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Food for Thought:

Compare Beaudin's motivational technique to those used by Kelly and Susan Adams (in the Behavioral Theories of Learning movie clips)

  • Which techniques are more effective for controlling behavior?
  • Which techniques promote intrinsic motivation?
  • Which techniques are more likely to have a long-lasting effect?
  • Which techniques promote community over competition?
  • Which techniques are more likely to elicite understanding?
  • Which techniques would you choose to use in your classroom? Why?