Metacognition: Hack Student Performance And Increase Motivation
By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAM! Radio Network & Teaching Channel Blogger
Marie Forleo I love you!
I know. I'm a married man and I should not be exclaiming such things to 1000s of people.
Relax. I love my wife more.
What I'm talking about is the insight, inspiration, and ideas I get whenever I open my email and watch a new quirky, goofy, never boring Marie TV episode. The latest one "The Secret to Staying Motivated — Especially When You’re Not Seeing Results" inspired me to write this post and create the infographic on Hacking Performance below.
As the school year started for some and quickly approaches for the rest of us, I thought it'd be fitting that we talk about student motivation and performance.
If you're a teacher you undoubtedly encounter students who despite their best efforts have a difficulty staying motivated or reaching learning goals you set for them or they set for themselves. They are capable, but underperform. They can do it, but struggle to find meaning in "doing the work." They have what it takes, but don't produce...
There are many pieces to this puzzle, the completion of which requires the "whole child approach," and today I want to give you a big fragment I hope you'll find useful in helping students perform better, find more meaning, and reach learning goals.
It's all about the approach. And Metacognition. And it works with adults too. Check it out!
I suppose Metacognition translates to a "Psych" in student lingo. A "psych" is a way to mentally figure something out and put yourself in the right frame of mind to perform to your best ability.
The Hacking Performance strategy above really is a "psych" then, because you are tricking your mind into thinking big deal projects aren't that big if you focus on the process - doing one small chunk at a time.
Does it work? Research says it does!
So...
Do it with your students. Psych them out!
Because You Have The Power To Change The World. Use It Often.
Oskar
PS. And later, when you see results, say this to them, but only in your mind: Psych!
PS2. If you appreciate metacognitive learning strategies such as the one above, consider buying my book "Crush School: Every Student's Guide To Killing It In The Classroom" available for Kindle on Amazon. It contains 24 metacognitive strategies to help students learn anything and will change the way you teach forever. And, if you don't find it useful, contact me at oskar.cymerman@gmail.com and I'll give you a full refund.
"Crush School" Book by Oskar Cymerman - $9.99 on Amazon
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