Developing Possible Selves and Enhancing Student Motivation

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• Developing Possible Selves and Enhancing Student
  Motivation

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Advance Organizer
Purpose To engage in dialogue about how we
should prepare others to teach Possible Selves.

• PART I
• Introduction
• The Challenge
• A Possible Selves Solution
• PART II
• Professional Development Activity
• Supporting Research
• PDS Issues Insights

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The Challenge

• Is student motivation a factor in student
  achievement?
• What are the student motivational issues that
  teachers face?
• Within what parameters we must operate?
• (e.g., time, opportunity, support, curriculum)

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Jocks and Burnouts

• by
• Penelope Eckert

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A CRITICAL GOAL

• Give me a fish, and I eat for a day. Teach me to
  fish, and I eat for a lifetime.
• Chinese Proverb

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THE REALITY
I dont know how to fish, and I dont care to
learn. I dont even like fish. So dont bother
me! Non Motivated Student
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Students are not unmotivated. However, they may
not be motivated to do what we want them to
do. Richard Lavoie
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Students are not unmotivated. However, they may
not be motivated to do what we want them to
do. Richard Lavoie
GOAL THEORY Students are motivated when they
have a goal they believe is achievable have the
desire (reasonable effort) to attain the goal
have a plan in place to attain the goal
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HOPE THEORY Successful people have high hope.
Hope can be nurtured. Rick Snyder, The
Psychology of Hope
HOPE results from having willpower (desire) and
way power (a plan) for goals.
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History of Possible Selves

• Why wont they use this stuff- it works!!
• Lack of motivation?
• Develop a motivational intervention
• University student-athletes
• University student-athletes using peers
• Adapt for elementary, m.s., and h.s.
• West Junior High School (SED)
• Rapid City grades 2-3-4 w/sp ed
• Topeka Chase (550 students), Landon, Jardine,
  HPHS
• Blue Valley LD Strategy Class

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A Possible Selves Solution

• Possible Selves are ideas about what one might
  become in the future (Markus Nurris, 1986)
• Ones vision of the future is motivating
• Future vision includes
• Hoped for selves
• Expected selves
• Feared selves

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Possible Selves Lessons
First is the Dream
Working How am I doing?
Planning How do I get there?
Reflecting What can I be?
Thinking Who am I?
Sketching What am I like?
Discovering What are my interests?
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LESSON 1 INTRODUCTIONWhy study possible selves?

• Fear of the future vignette (p. 11)
• I have a dream vignette (p. 12
• Possible Selves film models discussion
• October Sky, Rudy, Annie O MTVs Made
• Build a Possible Selves Goal Folder (p. 14)
• The Success formula
• The Dream Catcher metaphor (p. 15)
• The Unit Organizer (p. 15)
• Dreams quote (p. 16)

See PS manual p. 10
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LESSON 2 DISCOVERINGWhat are my strengths and
interests?

• The Tamara model (p. 18)
• Surface student interests and skills
• Highlight strength area(s) collage
• Discuss positive experiences

Manual p. 17
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LESSON 3 THINKING Section 1

• Goal Identify current future Possible Selves
• Procedures Complete the interview
• One to One
• Group/Class/Peers
• I do
• We do
• You do

PS Manual p. 21
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LESSON 3 THINKING Section 2

• Define Hope, Expectation, Fear pp. 75-81
• Conduct the Interview
• What words or phrases best describe you as a ?
• What do you hope to achieve as a ?
• What do you expect to achieve as a ?
• What do you fear as a ?
• I DO WE DO YOU DO
• Student/Teacher/Counselor Analysis

PS Manual p. 21
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POSSIBLE SELVES INTERVIEW 1. What statements or
words best Describe you as an athlete? (or other
strength area- worker, computer game player,
friend) 2. What statements or words best Describe
you as an learner? 3. What statements or words
best Describe you as an person? 4. What do you
Hope to achieve as an athlete? (or other strength
area) 5. What do you Hope to achieve as a
learner? 6. What do you Hope to achieve as an
person? 7. What do you Expect to achieve as an
athlete? (or other strength area) 8. What do you
Expect to achieve as a learner? 9. What do you
Expect to achieve as an person? 10. What do you
Fear as an athlete? (or other strength area) 11.
What do you Fear as a learner? 12. What do you
Fear as an person?
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POSSIBLE SELVES MAP
ATHLETE
LEARNER
PERSON
Q1 Describe
Q2 Describe
Q3 Describe
Im hard
working,
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LESSON 4 SKETCHING

• Create a Possible Selves Tree (e.g., pp.
  93,94,95)
• Questionnaire Highlights Form (p.28)
• Based on the Interview
• Draw the tree trunk and 3 limbs w/labels
• Draw HOPE and EXPECTATION branches/leaves
• Draw the root system for the tree (DESCRIBE)
• Draw the FEAR/THREATS to the tree
• Stand back and evaluate

PS Manual p. 27
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Figure 2
Other Overhead Examples
FEAR
Injury
FEAR
A Job I Hate
FEAR
Flunking Out Even

When You Try
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Lesson 5 REFLECTING

• Goal to identify goals that strengthen and
  support growth of the Tree (p. 36)
• Where are most branches, hopeful words?
• Where are fewest branches, hopeful words?
• Which limb needs strengthening?
• List 3 goals that will help do this.
• Prioritize these goals

PS Manual p. 35
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Lesson 6 PLANNING

• Goal Develop action plans
• Select a goal and hope
• Identify action steps that lead to goal attainment

PS Manual p. 45
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My Action Plan
The Hope
My hope is to become a certified diesel technician
The Goal
I will graduate from Gates Technology School by
May 2004.
Step 5
Improve my basic algebra skills with a Strategic
Tutor. Improve my textbook reading skills with a
Strategic Tutor.
Step 4
The Tasks
Set up tutoring with the After School Prog for
math and English.
Step 3
Pass all my classes with a gpa of 2.75 Attend
class regularly.
Step 2
Determine what course I
Put together a graduation plan.
Step 1
Determine what I need to do to get into Tech
school- H.S. diploma??
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Lesson 7WORKING

• Goal Collage Activity (p. 45)
• Write a Mission Statement (p. 48)
• Write a Prediction Letter (p. 49)
• Review/revise/update Action Plans (p. 49
• Mentor Dream Coach meetings
• Email (e.g., MyGoals.com model)
• Counselors
• Peers
• Other
• How am I doing/ feedback form (p.51)

PS Manual p. 45
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My Mission Statement
A vision of what is possible for me.
What do I want to be like?
What do I want to be?
What do I want to do?
My Personal Mission Statement
My Personal Mission Statement
I want to be a veterinarian and help take care of
animals. I will also go to college for four
years, and I will use my knowledge in the
workplace.
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Professional Development Experiential Activity
Learners will teach themselves better than the
worlds best trainer (sic) or highest paid
motivational speaker. Roger Schank Virtual
Learning, 1997
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Preparing to Teach Possible Selves

• Lesson 1 Why study Possible Selves?
• Lesson 2 Discovering my strengths and interests
• Lesson 3 Thinking .

Activity Packet
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LESSON 3 Thinking

• Goal Identify current future Possible Selves
• Procedures Complete the interview
• One to One
• Group/Peers
• I do
• We do
• You do

Activity Packet
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LESSON 3 Thinking Section 1

• Define Hope, Expectation, Fear p.p. 39
• Conduct the Interview
• What words or phrases best describe you as an
  (educator)?
• What do you hope to achieve as an educator?
• What do you expect to achieve as an educator?
• What do you fear as an educator?

Activity Packet
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Describe Example Educator
Your Thoughts?

• Fair
• Organized
• Outcome driven
• Distracted by non committed students
• Irritated by politics of teaching
• Creative
• Knowledgeable about pedagogy
• Bored with routine

Activity Packet
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LESSON 3 Thinking Section 2

• Conduct the Interview
• What words or phrases best describe you as a
  learner?
• What do you hope to achieve as a learner?
• What do you expect to achieve as a learner?
• What do you fear as a learner?

Activity Packet
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Hope Example Educator

• Connect in positive way with students
• Close the academic social gap
• Make a difference- validate interventions!
• Maintain enthusiasm
• Teach all students
• Return focus to K12 education

Your Thoughts?
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LESSON 3 Thinking Section 3

• Conduct the Interview
• What words or phrases best describe you as a
  person?
• What do you hope to achieve as a person?
• What do you expect to achieve as a person?
• What do you fear as a person?

Activity Packet
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Expectation Example Educator
Your Thoughts?

• Continue in the field of education
• Develop additional instructional interventions
• Validate Possible Selves
• Expand my work with Pathways
• Join the adult literacy project (if funded!)

Activity Packet
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LESSON 3 Thinking Section 3

• Conduct the Interview
• What words or phrases best describe you as an
  educator?
• What do you hope to achieve as an educator?
• What do you expect to achieve as an educator?
• What do you fear as an educator?

Activity Packet
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Fears Educator
Your Thoughts?

• Feel stuck- no options
• Burn out, become cynical
• Lose energy
• Just hang around waiting to retire
• Stuff doesnt work!

Activity Packet
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Completing the Questionnaire(optional activity)

• Answer remaining questions in person and
  learner areas in partner teams
• Complete the analysis form (optional)
• Draw trees and share with your partner
• Create final overhead quality documents

Activity Packet
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LESSON 4 Sketching

• Create a Possible Selves Tree
• Based on the Interview
• Draw the tree trunk and 3 limbs w/labels
• Draw HOPE and EXPECTATION branches/leaves
• Draw the root system for the tree (DESCRIBE)
• Draw the FEAR/THREATS to the tree
• Stand back and evaluate

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See overhead models
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Planning for Implementation

• Target person (s)/ courses
• Decide on Format
• Determine Logistics (time, place, staff)
• Think about Materials
• Select Evaluation Research Data
• Conduct Problem Solving/Follow-up

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So What! Supporting Data

• University Student-athletes
• Counselors
• Peers
• Elementary School grades 2, 3, 4
• Junior High SED class
• Middle School whole school
• Middle School Selected Classes

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What is Possible?

• AFTER
• I want to be known as a hard worker and strive
  to be one of the best players in college
  basketball.
• I want to be well respected and loved by my
  family and friends in everything I do.
• I want to live a good life and support my
  family as well as other family members.
• I want to live my life as a caring person who
  will always help others.
• I wish to be a good father, husband and
  provider.
• I want to be a very caring person.
• I wish to end up in heaven.

• BEFORE
• I want to be a professional basketball player.
• I want to touch peoples lives.

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What is Possible?

• AFTER
• I want to be an artist.
• I want to be a nice person.
• I want to be a good student.

• BEFORE
• Go go man go I can do it on my own.

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What is Possible?

• AFTER
• I want to be a pro basketball player after I go
  to college.
• I want to use my intelligence to be a good
  student.
• I want to be a good person.

• BEFORE
• I want to be a basketball player
• I want to do dunks
• I want to be like Iverson.

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What is Possible?

• AFTER
• I want to be a veterinarian and help take care
  of animals.
• I will go to college for four years and I will
  use my knowledge in the workplace.

• BEFORE
• I want to be like Aaliyah because she was nice
  and pretty and a singer.
• To travel and make my dreams come true like
  Aaliyah.

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Elementary School Pilot Study

• Classroom culture change
• Goal language
• Goals tied to school activities
• Implementation Success
• Students have hopes and dreams

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Jardine Eisenhower Middle School Study

• 52 students (10 Self-Contained Sp ed 21 at-risk
  21 comparison)
• Whole class implementation in two classrooms (IC
  support)
• Over 1 semester (with other curriculum)

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Possible Selves Outcomes

• Mission Statement Measure sig.
• Total score .0001
• Number of roles identified .0003
• Level of education .12
• Number of goals stated .0005
• Specificity of goal statements .0003

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Possible Selves Outcomes

• Being Known Measure Sig. .28
• They still dont think teachers know them very
  well.
• WHY???

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TEENS AND SELF-IMAGE SURVEY RESULTS Question 8.
How much influence does each of the following
have on your life? A lot or
Some None Parents 96 4 Teacher 80 20
Other Kids 78 22 Religion 70 30 Girl/B
oyfriend 63 37 Celebrities 63 37 TV
Shows 44 56 Advertising 36 64
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TEENS AND SELF-IMAGE SURVEY RESULTS
Question 5. Who understands you the
most? Friend 42 Parent 28 Girl/Boyfri
end 10 No one 8 Sibling
5 Religious Leader 1 Teacher
1 Other 5
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Professional Development

• Do you see Possible Selves supporting your
  professional development work?
• What implementation barriers do you see?
• What solutions can you offer?
• What do you need to support professional
  development and implementation?

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Yeah! Buts(turn to your neighbor)

• Do you see Possible Selves working with your
  students?
• What implementation barriers do you see?
• What solutions can you offer?
• What is needed to support professional
  development and implementation?
• Next steps????

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Possible Selves

• Ones vision of the future is motivating
• Future vision includes
• Hoped for Possible Selves (dreams)
• Expected Possible Selves (short term)
• Feared Possible Selves (avoidance)

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Central to significant student growth and
enthusiasm for learning is a teacher who
understands the teaching process and the
important role that a teacher plays in helping
students along the path of setting and working
toward goals. Don Deshler, Director The
Center for Research on Learning