High school students’ lack of personal responsibility and academic ownership, negative or indifferent attitude, and lack of initiative and general motivation are often of concern to teachers and parents. This action research project evaluated an intervention to increase high school students’ motivation, responsibility, and initiative. Students were enrolled in a freshman English or Spanish class and one art class comprised of students from all grade levels in a parochial high school located near Chicago. The needs of parents, students, and faculty with regard to the educational process were identified by means of surveys; students’ needs were identified as being distinct from those of the other two groups. The one-semester intervention used cooperative learning, authentic assessment, journal writing, and portfolio development to meet students’ needs for belonging, power, freedom, and fun within the classroom environment. In order to assess the effects of the intervention, the initial survey determining student needs provided baseline data. Observational checklists were completed throughout the study to assess progress in student participation and motivation. Self-assessments and portfolios were also used to assess student responsibility for learning and motivation. The needs survey was re-administered to identify needs not met by the intervention. The findings indicated a positive correlation between the teacher’s intervention to meet student needs and the level of student motivation. (Twenty-six appendices include data collection instruments and sample instructional materials. Contains 20 references.) (KB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) y41’his document has been reproduced as eceived from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Effective Motivation Through Meeting Student Needs Denise Grenchik Elaine O’Connor Gina Postelli An Action Research Project Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the School of Education in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership Saint Xavier University & IRI/Skylight Field-Based Masters Program Chicago, Illinois April 29, 1999
