Adapting to Differences in Students’ Motivational Patterns

Sandy’s story illustrates two points that are noted later in this chapter: Compared with boys, girls are less likely to be motivated by involvement in competitions and more likely to question their abilities in mathematics. Such differences complicate your motivational efforts: Some strategies work well with boys but not girls, and vice versa. Similar complications can arise when students differ in developmental levels, cognitive or learning styles, or cultural backgrounds.