Learner Engagement & Motivation Flashcards

A teacher notices students seem bored during a long lecture. Which strategy best re-engages them using arousal theory?

Answer: Pause and introduce a quick think-pair-share activity

Arousal theory suggests moderate stimulation restores engagement, and an interactive think-pair-share shifts students from passive to active processing.

According to Csikszentmihalyi's flow theory, when does a student most likely experience 'flow' during a learning task?

Answer: When the task challenge closely matches the student's skill level

Flow occurs when the challenge of a task is balanced with the learner's skill level, producing deep engagement and intrinsic satisfaction.

A student consistently avoids difficult assignments to protect their self-image. This behavior is best explained by which motivation concept?

Answer: Self-handicapping

Self-handicapping involves creating obstacles or excuses in advance to protect self-esteem if performance is poor.

Which classroom practice is most consistent with attribution retraining?

Answer: Encouraging students to attribute success to effort and strategy

Attribution retraining teaches students to link outcomes to controllable factors like effort and strategy, fostering persistence.

Ms. Rivera lets students choose between three project formats. This choice primarily supports motivation by addressing which psychological need?

Answer: Autonomy

Offering choice satisfies the need for autonomy, a core component of Self-Determination Theory that enhances intrinsic motivation.

A teacher uses specific, process-focused praise such as 'You tried a new strategy when you got stuck.' How does this support motivation?

Answer: It promotes a growth mindset by valuing effort and strategy

Process-focused praise directs students' attention to effort and strategies, reinforcing a growth mindset and adaptive motivation.

Which statement best describes the overjustification effect?

Answer: Providing external rewards for an already intrinsically motivating activity can decrease intrinsic motivation

The overjustification effect occurs when external rewards undermine intrinsic interest by shifting the perceived reason for doing an activity.