Learning Motivations

Similarly, assessment and a Positive Mindset are very important. Assessment for learning and a positive mindset are two related concepts in education that have the common goal of supporting student learning and growth.

Assessment for learning, also known as formative assessment, is a process of continuously gathering information about student understanding and using that information to guide instruction. The goal of formative assessment is to help students understand their strengths and areas for improvement and to use that information to make progress in their learning.

Going back to the learner, students can experience learning blocks in many different ways. Along with a lack of prior knowledge, limited understanding, poor conceptual awareness and underdeveloped skills, there might also be motivational or psychological factors at play.

A positive mindset, on the other hand, refers to a person's overall outlook and attitude toward themselves and their abilities. A person with a positive mindset believes in their ability to learn and grow. They see challenges and failures as opportunities for growth.

When combined, assessment for learning and a positive mindset can create a powerful learning environment. By using formative assessment to gather information about student understanding, teachers can help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and use that information to foster a positive mindset and a growth mindset. This can lead to an increase in motivation, engagement and achievement, as students are more likely to take risks, persist in the face of challenges and view failure as a valuable learning experience.

This connection is helped by the following foci:

• Connection – connecting the feedback to a learning experience.

• Identification – identifying the specific knowledge, understanding or skills that need to be improved.

• Application – going or looking forward to details on how to use the feedback to improve outcome(s).

Find out more about SEL in our dedicated Ebook (published July 2024). https://www.managebac.com/resource-library