Motivation drives student behavior and performance. When students are motivated they will be more positive and energetic toward their learning. Motivated students are more likely to take initiative in their learning and persist through difficult material, mistakes, or tasks.
William Glasser’s theory of five basic needs is relevant for motivating today’s children. School systems using Competency-Based Learning and Promotion (CBLP) can successfully meet these needs and motivate students while implementing components of Glasser’s Choice Theory:
Power – Students will know they are competent and feel their own power as they progress through levels of learning.
Freedom – Students need the ability to move at their own chosen pace through levels of learning.
Fun – Goal-directed learning can be authentic as well as collaborative and constructive, characteristics of enjoyable. fun learning.
Belonging – Students need to connect with others who have similar interests.
Survival – All schools must provide students and adults with a sense of personal safety and security so that learning remains the focus of attention.
In his book “Choice Theory,” Glasser shared his research and belief that individuals control their own behavior, and that schoolchildren will thrive in an atmosphere of “love, friendship, negotiation and trust.”
Education Week article By Elizabeth Heubeck on February 21, 2023, described five ways to motivate students that emulate Glasser’s research:
Give students more control, even the youngest learners.
Foster students’ belief in their own abilities.
Practice the ‘art of questioning’ and cultivate curiosity.
Model enthusiasm for learning.
Make fun a high priority.
Schools systems and classrooms implementing CBLP provide the support students need to stay motivated by implementing identified and research-based choices. Students progress through levels of learning in each subject at their own pace and not according to the calendar. Our children need CBLP and we must find our way past barriers to implementation.
Merry Sillitoe: Author, Education Reform 
Leave a comment