Caldwell, G.
P., & Ginther, D. W. (1996). Differences in Learning Styles of Low
Socioeconomic
Status for Low and High Achievers. Education , 141-147.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
High achievers from low SES backgrounds
It seems like our posts have turned into doom and gloom. What can be done for these low SES kids? Here is a positive spin on poverty and what teachers can do to further children's success. Caldwell & Ginther (1996) found that the difference between low and high achieving children from low SES backgrounds was their motivation. If students were intrinsically motivated they were more likely to succeed in school than students who were extrinsically motivated. That is great news, but so what? Caldwell & Ginther (1996) suggest that students who are in teachers' classrooms where the teacher gives students more choices and flexibility and is less controlling are more likely to increase their intrinsic motivation. They also found that the differences in learning styles do not matter significantly for achievement, motivation is the key factor.
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Intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation has always interested me because it ties with our instant gratification American culture. I do believe that differences in learning styles do not matter significantly for students' achievement. Yet, it's important for teachers to differentiate how the teach so that everyone can, might get the motivation needed to become interested in the learning process. We constantly see students from low social economic background succeeding beyond our expectations. Although some research studies found that motivation cannot be taught, I still want to believe that teachers can be a great source of motivation for students who are lacking of this important learning component.
ReplyDeleteThanks for turning us around, Tana! I absolutely see motivation as a huge factor of success and believe teachers can try to positively influence/create that sort of character development.
ReplyDeleteDid any of you read the book "Push" (or see the movie "Precious")? The story-line is about an adolescent, low SES, African American female who is the victim of terrible abuse throughout her life, bounces in and out of schools, struggles with literacy, ends up pregnant, etc...a tragic tale. However, in the movie, Precious the main character, ends up attending some sort of alternative schooling, finds a teacher how has a bit of faith in her and though it doesn't necessarily have a fairy tale ending, readers (or watchers) see the gains this young girl ends up making. Though the focus on the teacher in the book is not much, you can see the type of teacher Caldwell & Ginther were likely speaking of; she character of the teacher provided choice and flexibility and people could really see the positive impact that had on Precious, in terms of the development of her intrinsic motivation.
References: Sappire. (1997). Push. New York, New York: Vintage Books.