Raymond J. Wlodkowski, Ph.D. Motivation and Learning in Culturally Diverse Environments: A Framework & Practices Margery B. Ginsberg, Ph.D. Raymond J. Wlodkowski, Ph.D. AAACE, November 9, 2016

Why is diversity and adult education an enduring concern? Persistent low-completion rates (40%) Challenges facing developmental education Disproportionality of low-income, students-of-color who stop out or drop out. Policy research suggests what to do but not how to do it on the ground.

Evolution of motivation in adult learning What is intrinsic motivation and why is it essential to post-secondary student success? Equivalence of motivation and learning Motivation and engagement – the role of agency, terms that appear to culturally neutral. The importance of thinking motivationally

Why is instruction foundational to academic success? 90% of social or academic engagement is in the classroom or online. Abstract & extrinsically reinforced systems of education do not work for at least 1/3rd of students. Access is inseparable from inclusion.

Thought Questions Teaching, Advising, Committees What is something you have added to or changed about your interactions or instructional repertoire to be more motivationally effective in a culturally diverse environment? Please complete this sentence: I haven’t yet found a way to…

Problem of Practice for Educators Most educational leaders, faculty, and staff do not have a consistent approach or model to foster interactions & learning experiences that are intrinsically motivating. How can we address this without adding one more complicated framework?

Generally, if we teach as we’ve been taught… …we sanction individual performance …we prefer “reasoned” argumentation …we advocate impersonal objectivity …we condone individual competition

Generally, when we teach as we were taught … Socratic Method individual performance argumentative literacy objectivity competition

When we accept our own cultural norms as universal… …when students disengage we see deficit rather than difference.

Multi-disciplinary Research Cultural studies, psychology, flow, constructivism, sociology, literacy, language acquisition, gender studies, adult learning, assessment, information science, disciplinary standards, arts, special needs, transformation theory, multiple intelligences, inquiry-focused learning, cooperative learning…

The Motivational Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching

Constructing the 4 Conditions How do you create… An environment in which learners & educators feel respected and connected? (Inclusion) A favorable disposition toward learning through relevance and volition? (Positive Attitude) Challenging and engaging learning experiences connected to learners’ perspectives? (Meaning) A shared understanding that learners are becoming more effective at something they value? (Competence)

Example: Equity Audit Assignment What would make it safe for you and others to survey your school about equity & oppt.? What would make it safe for school staff to participate in an audit? Options, draft tools including a draft statement of purpose, sample questions, clear criteria for success. Lit. & in-class practice asking good questions, in-class simulation w/ an advance learner, project plans with feedback prior to implementation. Rubric for final paper, instructor accessibility, formative & summative - AIRE

I AM Competent

Improvement Motivation - Learning from students Learning from instruction Learning from data

Where there is a will, there is a way” should be reversed and restated as “Where there is a way, there is a will.” (p. 45). Anyon, 2005

Please think back to the early thought question regarding your professional practice. What stimulated your thinking?

Is this you?

Concluding Thoughts

THANK YOU! margeryginsberg@gmail.com rwlodkow@regis.edu