Running Head: Literature Review Domain C

Week 3 Literature Review Domain C

Lauren Coleman
National University

In partial fulfillment for the requirements for TED 690

Professor Clifton Johnson
June 15, 2016

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Literature Review Domain C

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Abstract

This literature review focuses on a book written by Linda D. Ventriglia, Ph.D.

titled, Best Practices: Motivation & Student Engagement: Creating Power Learners and
its significance towards my growth in Domain C of the California Teacher Performance
Expectations.

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Literature Review

Author: Linda D. Ventriglia, Ph.D.

Title: Best Practices: Motivation & Student Engagement: Creating Power Learners
Publisher: YounglightEducate
Year: 2013
Summary
This is the third book in Dr. Ventriglias Best Practice series. The main idea of
Best Practices: Motivation & Student Engagement: Creating Power Learners is to
provide strategies to use to create power learners. These learners are self-motivated
and engaged, which increases their retention of knowledge and improves test scores.
Motivation as a goal directed behavior can be extrinsic or intrinsic. Students that
are extrinsically motivated engage in learning as a means to an end. These students
believe that participation in learning activities will result in desirable outcomes such as
rewards, teacher praise or avoidance of punishment (Marks, 2001). Intrinsically
motivated students on the other hand, acquire knowledge because learning is satisfying in
and of itself. These students engage in learning not because they want a good grade or
praise but because they enjoy the learning process (Ventriglia, 2013, p. 2).
Ventriglia notes that the challenge is to find out what motivates students to learn.
She suggests there are three approaches to motivation: Behavioral, Cognitive and
Humanistic. The Behavioral Approach to motivation confirms the positive power of
praise and reinforcement for student learning (Ventriglia, 2013, p. 5). The Cognitive
Approach to learning revolves around the students belief in their own capabilities to
learn. The two factors that influence learning most in this approach are the students

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feelings about themselves and their environment. The Humanistic Approach to

Motivation proposed by Maslow complements the Behavioral and Cognitive Approaches
by extending extrinsic reinforcers to intrinsic self-directed learning (Ventriglia, 2013, p.
21).
The book continues on to offer motivational techniques for the general population
and English Language Learners. It offers ways like Think-Pair-Share, Active
Investigation, and using Electronic Media as forms to motivate students to learn for their
own pleasure. In conjunction with these techniques, the teacher must create learning
experiences that interest students and keeps them engaged and curious for more
information. It is really through your motivating and engaging students in active learning
that they begin to want to learn not only to please you but to please themselves
(Ventriglia, 2013, p. 155).
Reflection and Review
Each one of Dr. Ventriglias Best Practice books provides insightful information
in an easy format and has remained in my teaching library after the completion of my
college course. The combination of teaching techniques paired with psychological
motivation makes this book a keeper! I learned a tremendous amount about what makes
a student want to learn when reading through the 10 Cs of developing intrinsically
motivated learners. Many of the previous courses taught me about how to teach the
information for varying learning abilities, but this book struck another cord with student
motivation and engagement. I strongly recommend this book as a valuable addition to
any teachers library.