ERIC Number: EJ801115
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 35
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1940-4476
Promoting Positive Achievement in the Middle School: A Look at Teachers' Motivational Knowledge, Beliefs, and Teaching Practices
Haselhuhn, Charlotte W.; Al-Mabuk, Radhi; Gabriele, Anthony; Groen, Marc; Galloway, Sarah
RMLE Online: Research in Middle Level Education, v30 n9 p1-20 2007
This study was prompted by previous research showing a decline in motivation as students transition from elementary to middle school. The decline in motivation may be associated with changes in the achievement goal structures of their classrooms and schools. This study describes a survey of 69 elementary and 28 middle school teachers that explored their knowledge of approaches to motivation, specific achievement goal beliefs, behaviors, perceptions of school goal structures, and perceptions of specific student beliefs. These teachers were most familiar with behavioral and cognitive approaches to motivation. They generally reported mastery-oriented beliefs, behaviors, and school goal structures, although elementary teachers rated school goal structures as more mastery-oriented and less performance-oriented than did middle school teachers. Counter to student-reported goal orientations found in previous studies, teachers at both levels believed their students held performance goal orientations. Teachers can promote mastery-oriented classrooms and school goal structures at elementary and middle school levels. (Contains 8 tables and 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Middle Schools, Student Motivation, Middle School Teachers, Teaching Methods, Elementary School Teachers, Surveys, Goal Orientation, Student Attitudes, Educational Environment, Feedback (Response), Teacher Attitudes, Beliefs
National Middle School Association. 4151 Executive Parkway Suite 300, Westerville, OH 43081. Tel: 800-528-6672; Tel: 800-528-6672; Fax: 614-895-4750; e-mail: info@nmsa.org; Web site: http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/RMLEOnline/Articles/tabid/101/Default.aspx
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Middle Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Iowa

Peer reviewed
