The Power of Attitude in Learning

In our previous newsletters, we discussed the cognitive and psychomotor domains, which cover theoretical and applicable knowledge, respectively. Now, we turn our focus to the third and final step in the competence development process: nurturing the right attitude.

Now, you may ask, what is attitude? how can it be taught? Attitude refers to the mental state and behaviors that enable the application of the theoretical knowledge learned. Here are a few suggested ways how we can nurture a positive attitude in our students.

Nurture curiosity.

The goal for teaching should be to guide students to question everything written in academic books but not memorize it. For example, if you’re teaching about heat and energy, take your class to the kitchen and ask them why they can’t lift a hot saucepan with their bare hands. This hands-on experience promotes critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the concepts.

Cultivate Self-Belief

Many students have heard negative comments about their abilities. Research shows that it takes ten positive affirmations to undo one negative comment. If a student is told they can't study Mathematics, it will take ten positive affirmations to counteract that 1 negative statement. Believing in your students and teaching them to believe in themselves is a crucial part of a teacher's responsibility.

Teach Perseverance

Practically help students understand that developing competence takes time and effort. It’s a process, not a one-time attempt. Teach them that failure is part of learning and that they should never give up.

Consolidate

A big number of your class will certainly fail should you ask them to work as individuals. Let them leverage the strength of their classmates to cover for their growth areas. It's almost impossible to find quitters or failures in a class that has a genuine supportive culture

We know these challenges aren’t unique to your classroom. That's why we invite you to join Eda Space, a community of teachers dedicated to transforming the learning experience for students across Africa.

Let’s come together and start the conversation. Sign up now and be part of this exciting journey!