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

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Target Audience: Teachers working with Special Education Needs Students