The Non-Motivated Studentby Marie Max

• The Journal of the American Medical Association (9/9/2009) found

a disruption in the brains ability to respond in the reward and

motivational pathways, due to a lack of dopamine, a common

factor in ADHD diagnoses. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the US

National Institute on Drug Abuse, states that what begins with

disruption in the motivation path leads to inattention and hyper-

activity. She suggest that teachers intervene with the idea of

students' being medicated and instead "... devise methods to

provide 'extra-engagement."

THE NON-MOTIVATED STUDENT

Types of MOTIVATION

I N T R I N S I C

INDEPENDENT Can perform a

task without continuous support

E X T R I N S I C

DEPENDENTPerforms task with

continuous support

CAUSE OF NON-MOTIVATION

• Low self-esteem

• Lack of support at home

• No high expectations and support in the classroom

• Imbalance between skills and challenges( I.E.P., E.L.S., etc.)

EFFECT from lack of moti vati on

• avoid activities

• Form negative attitudes about learning

• Tasks are meaningless

• Frustration

Result

• Insecurity and isolation

Assessing Motivation

Degree of PERSISTENCE

Ability to take on CHALLENGES

Amount of INDEPENDENCE

EMOTION and ATTIDUDE

Degree of PERSISTANCE

begin with shorter and less challenging tasks.

If the student gives up easily…

Amount of INDEPENDENCE

Consistently needs help completing tasks?

Offer activities that spark innate interests or natural abilities.

CHOICES OF CHALLENGE

Easy tasks are chosen for instant success.

Provide appropriate

challenges: skill, age, etc.

EMOTION and ATTITUDE

Offer a variety:new and unexplored activities

Do Not’s

• Negatives don’t work – induce bitterness and segregation

• Remove from an activity

• Deprive of rewards

• Express anger (remember adults don’t argue with children)

• Over-motivation is over-kill

Motivational Do’s

• Positive reinforcement – encouraging,

uplifting

• Special duties

• Seat near visual aides and teacher’s desk

• Fill a small incentive jar with marbles per task

• Subtle, frequent compliments