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MOTIVATING STUDENTS WHO DON’T CARE
Demand More Than You Expect People generally think they are getting a bargain when they get something that is better than expected. This is the principle of contrast, which affects how we perceive a situation and influences how we behave. Businesses use this all the time when they advertise 50 percent off the price of a product or service. The size difference grabs our attention, and if you start out thinking that something you want costs one hundred dollars, but the sale offers it for fifty dollars, the contrast in price can make you think you are getting a very good deal. This principle can be applied to motivating students by establishing expectations that are higher than necessary and then lowering them to reflect what is acceptable. For example, you might ask students to turn in ten mathematics problems for homework when you would be entirely satisfied with five. This enables you to drop down to five when you hear groans from students. Students will think they got a good deal. Asking for ten minutes of solid attention to something that generally requires five makes you a hero when you ease off after five. So, start tougher and then ease up.
Offer Homework as an Optional Bonus Hassles related to homework can be distressing to students, parents, and teachers. Many students complain that homework assignments are boring, repetitive, and often meaningless (Galloway, Conner, & Pope, 2013). Overall, the debate on the value of homework has been going on for many years and is unlikely to be resolved
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What characteristics do they have, what do they do, or what have they given you that makes you want to return? Good examples of these might be Steve Jobs for Apple, Bill Gates for Microsoft, Michael Jordan for Nike, and Oprah Winfrey for dozens of books she included in her book club. What might you be able to apply from them to awaken your poorly motivated students to behave or perform more appropriately?
