Promoting Independence vs. Dependence (Essay Sample)

On page 42, Ritchhart (2015) presents five beliefs that encourage setting high expectations for students:
focusing students on the learning vs. the work
teaching for understanding vs. knowledge
encouraging deep vs. surface learning strategies
promoting independence vs. dependence
developing a growth vs. a fixed mindset
Choose one of these areas as your focus for this assignment. Create three actions a teacher can take to promote this area. For example, if you chose ‘promoting independence vs. dependence’, you would create three strategies a teacher can use to promote independence in the classroom.
Be sure to explain each action/strategy’s educational merit.
Lastly, explain how these actions encourage student motivation and promote a positive classroom environment.
Submit a paper which is 1.5 pages in length, exclusive of the reference page, double-spaced using 12 point, Times New Roman font. The paper must be well written and cite at least two outside sources in APA format. Check all content for grammar, spelling and to be sure that you have properly cited all resources (in APA format) used.
Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a free website that provides excellent information and resources for understanding and using the APA format and style. The OWL website can be accessed here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
The Pygmalion Effect
1. Ellison, K. (2015, October 29). Being honest about the Pygmalion Effect. Discover magazine. Being-Honest-About-the-Pygmalion-Effect-2015.pdf (tufts.edu)
This article provides a summary of the Pygmalion Effect and some classroom applications.
2. Spiegel, A. (2012, September 17). Teacher’s expectations can influence how students perform. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/09/18/161159263/teachers-expectations-can-influence-how-students-perform
This article connects a modern-day classroom to Rosenthal’s study and provides some reflective teacher questions.
Hit the ‘play’ button in the top right corner to hear a further explanation of the article as it was discussed on NPR radio.
Best Practices
3. Bell, L. (2007). Creating a culture of high expectations for all students. Education World. https://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/columnists/bell/bell003.shtml
This blog by Larry Bell, a well-known educational speaker, provides some best practices for creating a positive classroom culture in regards to supporting students.
4. Harris, S. (2005). Bravo teacher: Building relationships with actions that value others. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 1-58.
To access this resource, log into Moodle and access Library and Information Resources Network (LIRN) located in the Uopeople Library under the Resources tab. In the search field at the top of the page, copy and paste the title of the article. This article is located in a database called Ebook Central: Academic Complete
Read chapters 1-3 (pages 1-58) which provide a variety of actions and best practices that can be applied to any grade level in order to encourage and support students.
5. Hill, J. (n.d.). The power of high expectations: Closing the gap in your classroom. Teachingasleadership, pp. 29-36. http://web.archive.org/web/20160413075718/http:/teachingasleadership.org/sites/default/files/Related-Readings/DCA_Ch2_2011.pdf
This document provides varied perspectives on holding students to high academic standards and how those expectations can affect students.
6. Ritchhart, R. (2015). Creating cultures of thinking: The 8 forces we must master to truly transform our schools. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, pp. 37-60.
To access this resource, log into Moodle and access Library and Information Resources Network (LIRN) located in the Uopeople Library under the Resources tab. In the search field at the top of the page, copy and paste the title of the article. This article is located in a database called Ebook Central: Academic Complete
Read chapter 2 (pages 37-60) which focuses on the different types of expectations teachers should have for their students and how to apply them in the classroom.
Optional Video
1. EL Education (2015). Clear expectations and important work empower students to work independently: Management in the active classroom [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/115977648 (4:52)
This video clip demonstrates how a teacher who promotes independence and self-efficacy can use time to work more personally with students.