Abstract
The paper is focused on examining the programs for at-risk students, the benefits of such programs, and the role of education in modern life. Moreover, the paper provides some insights regarding the importance of motivation and the phenomenon of learned helplessness. The process of education receives priority in the digital world, and thus, the topic is essential to discuss.
Education
Education is one of the most significant elements in modern life, especially with the consideration of the fact that society has already entered the digital era. The at-risk students require even more attention from the teachers, and thus, should be provided with certain educational programs. However, motivation plays a significant role in the process of learning. The primary purpose of this paper is to examine how motivation, programs for at-risk students, and the principle of learned helplessness influence the way the child develops.
Recent researches prove that academic performance is linked to the success the person will have in the future, and thus, the question regarding the programs for the at-risk students should receive the primary concern and priority. It is worth noting that Lucy Daniels Center is currently working to help children to improve their learning, foster emotional development, and contribute to positive acquiring of the information (Lucy Daniels Center Early Intervention Program Overview, 2009).
Knowledge is Power Program is also created for students to receive an opportunity to make progress in their academic level with appropriate help and support of the experienced staff. Such programs can be considered as beneficial as they aim to change the lives of children for the better. The centers work not only with children but their families as well in order to accomplish the maximum result.
The students should see the final goal, the major objective of education (Slavin, 2015). The question is what role does the final goal plays in the process of education for the at-risk students.
Motivation
The motivation is the aspect that can foster the educational process and positively influence the way the students perceive the information. Children should understand the relationship between academic performance and future success. Children should communicate with people who use their knowledge successfully in their careers. However, the teachers should take into consideration that the children can face the problem of learned helplessness.
Every person needs a different amount of time to catch the information. Those children who struggle with the process of understanding school subjects need to be provided with the help and appropriate support, as well as with the motivation. Otherwise, they will feel confused, and frustrated (Learned Helplessness, 2007). These feelings influence the learning process in a negative way, and it results in learned hopelessness. In case the student sees that the other part of the class has better success in academic performance while he simply cannot understand anything, his level of confidence will decrease.
Thus, it is significantly important to dedicate enough time for every student with special attention to those ones who struggle with education (Head Start Education, 2009). The development programs were created to help at-risk students to achieve more and increase the level of confidence.
One of the motivation theories is attribution one. It deals with the explanation of the success and failure of a person based on the motives, behavior, and experience. Attribution theory addresses the concept of learned helplessness (Renninger & Hidi, 2015). Students have a different level of desire for accomplishments. The question is whether the lack of motivation of students can be compensated with a high motivation of the teacher.
Conclusion
Motivation plays an integral role in the process of education. In order for the students not to experience learned hopelessness, the teachers should dedicate enough time to at-risk students. In addition, students who struggle with academic performance can attend special programs that aim to help them in their accomplishments and achievements. Further progress would be impossible without close attention to the process of learning. The academic performance influences future success, and thus, education can influence the well-being of the whole nation and generation.
References
Head start education [Video file]. (2009). Web.
Learned helplessness [Video file]. (2007). Web.
Lucy Daniels Center early intervention program overview [Video file]. (2009). Web.
Renninger, K., & Hidi, S. (2015). The power of interest for motivation and engagement. New York, NY: Routledge.
Slavin, R. (2015). Educational Psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). New Jersey, NJ: Upper Saddle River.