Analyse The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Education

Roles of Self – Efficacy, Goal Setting and Teachers in a Student’s Life

Rashmi Jayaprakash

MAE14120

MA Education (2014 -2016)

Child Development and Learning

Abstract

For this paper, I have chosen to look at motivation in a child’s academic environment. My purpose was to understand the relation of self-efficacy and goal setting for a child. Role of teacher self – efficacy in the student’s life. Finally as a parent and hopefully someday a teacher, I would also like to understand if we can change some of the negative beliefs of a student’s own self-efficacy to motivate him or her to set goals they otherwise thought impossible.

Literature review section talks of three different studies done on the areas of what is self – efficacy. The four

As the child is not an isolated entity in academic spaces, teachers and peers play a vital role in shaping their self – efficacy beliefs. Teacher’s self – efficacy indicates belief in her ability to tutor all her students. Especially the students with low self – efficacy. The teacher would approach her tasks with the same doggedness that a student with high self – efficacy does.

Literature Review:

1. In the study, “Student and teacher self-efficacy and the connection to reading and writing, by Author(s): Julie Corkett, Blaine Hatt and Tina Benevides, Source: Canadian Journal of Education / Revue canadienne de l'éducation, Vol. 34, No. 1 (2011), pp. 65-98, the authors mention the importance of self – efficacy in learning literacy skills. They say that learning does not merely depend on the cognitive abilities of the child, but also his or her belief that they can achieve results. Hence the belief on one’s own ability ensures success in the particular field. The study also goes on to say that teacher centered approaches no longer work in academics. The teacher has to pay attention to his or her student’s personal abilities. The reason suggested for this is that once the student internalizes his or her self – efficacy, either positive or negative it is difficult to change. (Student and teacher self-efficacy and the

A teacher with high self – efficacy would make the effort to know each and every student’s abilities. She would persist and make all efforts to ensure that all her students learn. These models of teachers would especially concentrate more on students with difficulties in learning. This is also apparent in our third and final study. A teacher must identify students with low self – efficacy and mentor them in the right direction. Because until we do so, these children will not enjoy their learning experiences. Children will not initiate tasks unless they are motivated and confident that they have caused the outcomes. As children look for peer models, peer – learning should be emphasized. The study also recommends that teachers and adults around the child do not make judgements on their performances. Rather correct their mistakes in a creative manner. Students must be given the reasons for alternatives or choices proposed. This would enable them to think and internalize these choices and would also feel like it was their choice to begin with.

Children with high self – efficacy will set moderate goals for themselves and persist till they achieve success. They will attribute their failures to lack of effort rather than lack of ability. Students with low self – efficacy would avoid setting a goal altogether for the fear of failure. For them it would be the lack of ability that is foremost in their