pai principals academy partner NIE-NTU

Understanding and Helping Unmotivated Students

We've all encountered students in our primary or secondary school classes who lack motivation. Often, our colleagues seek our assistance. Frequently, these students resort to manageable avoidance behaviors, while some employ subtle self-handicapping strategies, and others may even drop out of school. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in secondary schools and disadvantaged areas, but it can also manifest in upper primary schools. We often feel powerless when it comes to aiding these pupils. It's crucial to address this discouragement by equipping ourselves and our teaching colleagues with the necessary tools. In this workshop, you will collaboratively work through case studies to identify the internal and external factors contributing to this type of motivational deficit. This exploration will lead you to discover two recognized and valuable theoretical frameworks: one systemic and the other socio-cognitive, which can aid in comprehension and intervention. Subsequently, we will collectively come out with effective strategies supported by educational studies to help these students. Finally, we will explore how to create an individualized intervention plan for a specific student within a specific school setting. Curious? Join us and participate in this collaborative workshop.

Participants will be able to…

  • Detect signs that shows lack of achievement motivation
  • Describe the impact of some factors on the student’s development and motivation through the Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory 
  • Understand what achievement and school motivation are by looking into the Situated-Expectancy-Value Theory
  • Study a case of their choice and analyze it through these two theoretical lenses
  • Describe some effective strategies promoted by educational studies on motivation
  • Create a structured intervention plan to help a specific student at their school

Learning Areas:

  • Social & Emotional Development
  • Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment
  • Family and Community Engagement
  • Innovation
  • Research
  • Educational Psychology

Target Audience: Teachers working with Special Education Needs Students

About the Presenter: 

Dr Emmanuel Bernet

Dr. Emmanuel Bernet has over 25 years of dedicated service in education as a highly experienced French-Canadian teacher trainer. His journey began in 1996, teaching upper primary school in multicultural and disadvantaged settings. Quickly, he transitioned into guiding and supervising pre-service teachers during their internships and later became a trainer for in-service teachers for Montreal’s schools. Concurrently, Dr. Bernet graduated with a Ph.D. specializing in educational psychology from the University of Montreal in 2010, receiving exceptional distinction and honors. His expertise spans various domains, including school motivation and well-being, competency-based pedagogy, participative classroom management, pedagogical integration of technology, and professional development practices. This breadth of expertise led him to Shanghai, where he served as a full-time adviser in pedagogical innovation for a few years. And for the past decade, Dr. Bernet has played a vital role at the International French School of Singapore (IFS), primarily serving as an educational psychology, technology, and professional learning adviser. His responsibilities include collaborating on significant research projects with universities and delivering countless professional development sessions for teachers and principals.

Dr. Bernet's expertise extends beyond the classroom and the school setting. As an independent consultant, he has been sought after since 2005 to provide training in schools, advise parents, speak to government representatives, lecture university students, and present his work in professional and scientific congresses across more than a dozen countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. His ability to adapt his knowledge and skills to different contexts and audiences is a testament to his versatility and effectiveness as an educational consultant. He has also co-authored research reports, scientific and professional journal articles, and a book chapter. Dr. Bernet's affiliations with prestigious organizations, such as the Observatory on Well-being at School (OBE) in France, the Singapore Positive Education Network (SPEN), and the Interuniversity Research Center on Training and the Teaching Profession in Canada (CRIFPE), further underscore his standing in the field.

Despite his accomplishments, Dr. Bernet values the importance of maintaining practical experience in the classroom while addressing the complexity of professional development efficacy for teachers. He designs training programs and workshops that address genuine teacher needs through solid questioning, experimentation, and reflection on beliefs and practices. His training style highlights the importance of evidence-based pedagogical practices and engaging training methods. He aims for greater academic achievement for all students in a more holistic approach to youth well-being, aligning with MOE goals. Therefore, it is vital for him to positively impact Singapore society as a new permanent resident through continuous professional development for teachers, but also soon through counselling services. Being already extensively trained by the International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (IIBA), he is currently augmenting his skills through The School of Positive Psychology (TSPP) in Singapore, paving the way for the final year of a master's degree in counselling and psychotherapy from the University of East London. As you can see, Dr. Bernet offers tailored professional development opportunities to schools and educators with his dedication and expertise, aiming to enhance teacher and student success at school in a holistic, efficient and motivating manner.

Registration Details

Course Code: EM070524

Topic: Understanding and Helping Unmotivated Students

Presenter(s): Dr Emmanuel Bernet

Date(s): 7 May 2024, Tuesday

Time: 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm

Mode of Delivery: Zoom

Closing Date: 26 April 2024, Friday

Workshop Fee: S$250.00 per participant and fee is subject to GST.

Please get in touch with Joseph Loy by email at joseph@pai.sg or tel: 6363 0330 if you require further information.