W1_Reading

These are the first 4 articles I have found for my AR project.  For my project, I am focusing on students charting/recording their grades (by objective) and setting goals for themselves based on the results of their charts.  I hope that this will help to improve test scores and student motivation, which are both subtopics that I will most likely be researching as well.

"Locke's goal setting theory." (1995).  Retrieved October 2, 2010 from: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_87.htm
     This article discussed the link between motivation and goal setting.  Goals that were specific and difficult were better motivators and had better results than goals that were vague.  The article continued by giving 5 principles of goal setting: "clarity, challenge, commitment, feedback, task complexity."
Although this article focused on goals in the workplace, these same principles and concepts can be applied to the classroom.

"Affirmations for radical success." (2007). Retrieved October 2, 2010 from: http://www.affirmations-for-radical-success.com/goal-setting-theory.html
     This article discussed a type of goal: the SMART goal.  SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound.  Like the previous article, this site discussed that the more specific and challenging a goal is, the more likely it is to motivate a person.  This article also stated that goals are made to help people be successful, therefore they should be something that are reasonable and attainable.

Johnson, P. "Goal setting theory." (n.d.).  Retrieved October 2, 2010, from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/goal-setting-theory.html
     The history of how goal setting theory started is discussed in this article.  Dr. Locke's research and his results were briefly discussed.  This article describes the principles of goal setting as "ingredients...and the right combination of certain factors."  Reference to being used by coaches and managers was mention in the article, however these same "factors" and "ingredient" can be used in the classroom to create goals and motivate students.

"Valuable benefits of setting goals." (2005). Retrieved October 2, 2010, from: http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Valuable-Benefits-of-Setting-Goals;-How-To-Set-SMART-Goals/
     In this article, it listed the top 10 reasons people tend not to make goals as well as the benefits and reasons that people should set goals.  Some of the benefits of setting goals were: setting goals provided a benchmark for success, built self-esteem, and motivation.  This article also showed you how to set a SMART goal.