Life beyond grades : designing college courses to promote intrinsic motivation

"This book raises the question of whether or not educators can promote intrinsic motivation among college students when they seem overwhelmingly focused on grades. Indeed, can there be life beyond grades? The answer is 'Yes'. A love of learning can coexist, even thrive, in the face of competing pressures from grades. Drawing on recent, ground-breaking classroom research, the authors articulate a new understanding of the causes of the stalemate between intrinsic and external motivation, so that a reconciliation between them can be achieved. Then the authors apply a powerful set of motivational and pedagogical principles to lay out a step-by-step blueprint for designing and teaching college courses that promote intrinsic motivation as a primary educational goal in its own right, above and beyond knowledge and skill acquisition. This practical blueprint draws on authentic case study examples from a variety of subject-matter disciplines. Provides a nuanced understanding of the psychological dynamics at the root of excessive grade focus; Features a step-by-step blueprint for designing courses that promote intrinsic motivation; The book will provide guidance for teachers and for those who wish to understand how to motivate students" -- From the publisher "This book raises the question of whether or not educators can promote intrinsic motivation among college students when they seem overwhelmingly focused on grades. Indeed, can there be life beyond grades? The answer is 'Yes'. A love of learning can coexist, even thrive, in the face of competing pressures from grades. Drawing on recent, ground-breaking classroom research, the authors articulate a new understanding of the causes of the stalemate between intrinsic and external motivation, so that a reconciliation between them can be achieved. Then the authors apply a powerful set of motivational and pedagogical principles to lay out a step-by-step blueprint for designing and teaching college courses that promote intrinsic motivation as a primary educational goal in its own right, above and beyond knowledge and skill acquisition. This practical blueprint draws on authentic case study examples from a variety of subject-matter disciplines. Provides a nuanced understanding of the psychological dynamics at the root of excessive grade focus; Features a step-by-step blueprint for designing courses that promote intrinsic motivation; The book will provide guidance for teachers and for those who wish to understand how to motivate students"--Résumé de l'éditeur 05.0_pp_vii_viii_Contents 06.0_pp_ix_x_Figures 07.0_pp_xi_xii_Tables 08.0_pp_xiii_xvi_Preface 09.0_pp_xvii_xviii_Acknowledgments 10.0_pp_1_29_Introduction_and_Overview 11.0_pp_30_59_The_Sum_of_All_Doubts 12.0_pp_60_84_Roles_and_Responsibilities 13.0_pp_85_104_Prospects_for_Intrinsic_Task_Engagement 14.0_pp_105_134_Solutions_as_Goals 15.0_pp_135_173_Scaffolding_Problem-Solving_Strategies 16.0_pp_174_211_Partnering_Instruction_and_Assessment 17.0_pp_212_243_From_Goals_to_Final_Grades 18.0_pp_244_254_The_End_of_the_Beginning 19.0_pp_255_274_Appendices 19.1_pp_255_262_A_Blueprint_for_Change 19.2_pp_263_274_Guiding_the_Teaching_and_Professional_Development_of_Graduate_Student_Instructors 20.0_pp_275_276_Notes 21.0_pp_277_284_References 22.0_pp_285_294_Index This volume explores the self-worth theory in order to uncover the hidden motivational dynamics of college (and other) classrooms and to overcome obstacles to engagement. It provides educators with a cohesive set of strategies for sparking students' intrinsic motivation and minimizing grade focus and fear of failure to promote deep learning.