Motivating Students to Learn

This course is designed for classroom teachers as well as school administrators who have the responsibility of evaluating and mentoring teachers. The first two lessons of the course examine four factors that directly impact the learning environment in a classroom setting: space, time, materials, and equipment. An investigation of student behavior and its relationship to student achievement and the classroom environment (Lesson 3) is followed by descriptions and assessments of ten subject-oriented motivational techniques that may be used in a classroom setting (Lesson Four).

The next lesson explores the two basic teaching methods as well as a blended model of instruction. Lesson Six examines the correlation between the school environment and teacher motivation. Three sequential classroom scenarios are presented in the final lesson in order to assist the teacher in doing a self-assessment by relating the method of teaching with each of the ten student types.

This course will encourage the classroom teacher to explore motivational techniques, provide a greater awareness of the varieties of teaching methods and enhance the teacher's realization that successful student motivation begins by matching technique and method with student types.



Dr. Karl Fivek About the Instructor:

Dr. Karl Fivek is a former Illinois public and Christian school teacher and administrator. Now semi-retired, Dr. Fivek maintains active participation in the educational arena by serving as a board member for Lighted Way, a non-public institution located in LaSalle, Illinois, that serves profound special needs children and for the Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (IASCD). In addition to the IASCD, Dr. Fivek is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the American Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Association of School Business Officials, The National Reading Association, The Illinois Reading Council, and the Starved Rock Reading Council

After Serving in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Fivek began his career in 1968 as a public school elementary and junior high teacher. During that time, he served as an Academic Team Leader and chairman of the Social Studies Committee. He began his administrative career in 1980 as a principal, school business manager, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Following his retirement from public education, he served as principal of LaSalle-Peru Christian School, LaSalle, Illinois, and Princeton Christian Academy, Princeton, Illinois, and as a Christian school and public school consultant. He recently completed seven years as an adjunct professor of Education for Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He also does pulpit supply for area churches.

Dr. Fivek earned a bachelor of arts degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago, a master of arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, a certificate of advanced study and his doctoral degree in education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Additionally, he maintains current Illinois State Board of Education certification as a teacher, principal, chief school business official and superintendent.