The Impact of Choice on Normalization and Academic Achievement
File(s)
Date
2018-10-15Author
Beck, Luke
Advisor(s)
Papadimitriou, Melina
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Students in today’s traditional schools do not have many opportunities for choice in their
learning. Learners can often be observed seated in their assigned seat, engaged in assigned work
given to them by the adult in the room. Traditionally in the United States, this has been the norm
for many schools, but is it really the best way for students to learn? This research focuses on how
freedom of choice in a Montessori classroom helps to support normalization. Normalization is a
Montessori term to describe a learning situation in which students demonstrate a love of learning
and engage in tasks autonomously as a result of their intrinsic motivation. This study focuses on
choice in a Montessori learning environment. However, the research is applicable to traditional
classrooms as well. By analyzing student observations and work samples this research attempted
to see if choice in the classroom affects normalizations and student achievement. The research
showed an increase of on task behavior when students were given more choices but did not show
an increase in respectful behavior.
Subject
intrinsic motivation
autonomy
freedom
Montessori
normalization
choice
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/78800Description
Research Paper, M.S.E. Education, UWRF, 2018.