"For how long do you see yourself playing this instrument?"
This question was posed in a 2015 study that examined the role of identity and motivation. It was asked before students started to learn their instrument of choice.
The answer to the question predicted the motivation, the frequency and intensity of practice, and the performance levels reached.
Back in 2020, we at Cormirus used a similar question to examine the relationship between the longevity of using the material learned in a school subject and student performance. We found those who saw themselves using material for the long term did nearly two grades higher in GCSEs than those who saw no reason to be studying the material beyond school. In the study, we predicted that there would be approximately 260 million hours of wasted student learning. We never calculated the waste of teacher time, but it would be significant.
James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, suggests that identity is essential for long-term behaviour change. When people see that what they're doing is aligned with who they are and how they see themselves, then the results and outcomes are far greater.
The old adage - "One Volunteer is Worth Ten Pressed Men" - is really true. Education and learning should be adapted to a person's goals and vision.
You can read more from the original study here - https://lnkd.in/eiP5gpxd
Attorney on Sabbatical, Former Liturgical Minister
3wThe founding spirit of America has echoed throughout the subsequent centuries in all fields social, political, intellectual, and technological. What an exciting time to put that spirit of innovation to the test again as we witness the forging of University of Austin!