Motivated students are successful students. Shaun Killian’s 2015 article, 8 Strategies Robert Marzano & John Hattie Agree On, identifies practices that lead to high levels of student achievement. Though Killian does not identify any as such, each practice reviewed in the article can be motivating. For example, students can be motivated by feedback on their progress (#2), opportunities to socialize with peers during “work together” sessions (#7), or an increase in self-efficacy (#8). The integration of technology can also be a key factor in motivating students, specifically in order to engage students with content (#3). Technology integration is a high yield practice Marzano and Hattie would agree on.
Technology is a tool that should be integrated when the tool yields improved results. For example, in my “Who’s on Top?” lesson about feudal society, I did not choose to include a digital component to the Do Now. I wanted the students to start with manipulatives and force them into a conversation about their background knowledge. Access to the internet at the start of the lesson would decrease the chances of a conversation developing as a simple Google search would identify each feudal class. Technology is integrated during note taking, though research has proven pen and paper notes are more likely remembered. My students respond positively to note taking on the Chromebook and negatively to note taking on paper. The motivation to complete the task outweighs the potential increase in memorization. I can overlook this concern as I have worked “multiple exposures” into the lesson as well (#5).
Mindmup is a technology that allows students to achieve a Depth of Knowledge (DOK) level 4 on Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy; Analyzing. Mindmapping is listed as a keyword in this DOK level, but this particular assignment also involves organizing, attributing, outlining, structuring, and linking. If you are not familiar with Mindmup.com it is a free cloud application with a minimal learning curve. (Reader tip: select View and show toolbar if you open up Mindmup to an empty screen). The latest version allows for vertical mapping and the integration of images. Mindmups can be saved and linked to Google Drive.
Motivation can be the determining factor in mastery and the integration of technology such as Mindmup increases student motivation.
Works Cited
Alcorn, Angela. “Try MindMup Mind-Mapping Via Google Drive.” MakeUseOf. 11 July 2013. Web. 15 May 2016.
Cauley, Patrick. “MindMup.com a Tutorial.” YouTube. YouTube, 16 July 2013. Web. 15 May 2016.
Churches, Andrew. Http://edorigami.wikispaces.com REMEMBERING. Educational Origami. Web. 15 May 2016.
Edutopia. “An Introduction to Technology Integration.” YouTube. YouTube, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 15 May 2016.
“John Hattie.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Web. 16 May 2016.
Killian, Shaun. “8 Strategies Robert Marzano & John Hattie Agree On.” The Australian Society for Evidence Based Teaching. A+, 17 June 2015. Web. 15 May 2016.
Marzano, Robert. “Tips From Dr. Marzano.” Marzano Research. Web. 15 May 2016.
“Robert J. Marzano.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Web. 16 May 2016.
keelygarden 
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Keely, your lesson and this blog post are enlightening. I think it’s a great idea to “withhold” the technology at the beginning of the lesson to encourage dialogue and collaboration. We’ve talked before about the problem with quick, unguided google searching and how it can hinder a student’s researching capability. Hopefully your careful planning in accordance to Hattie and Marzano’s suggestions will help! I have also seen that sometimes simply note- taking on technology can increase motivation and engagement. Your lesson is full of engaging and meaningful use of technology, and I’m sure the multiple exposures to content will boost student achievement.
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Your sequence of ideas helped me to see the relationship between best practice and motivation in a way I hadn’t considered before, but now can see how feedback, collaboration, and engagement are essential elements in helping students make personal connections with their learning. I liked the way you explained your thinking about your lesson design and your purposeful use of technology.
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