The J-Factor
What is it?
“The J-Factor” is a strategy that promotes finding joy in the work of learning. This technique is meant to not only promote happiness in the classroom, but also a high achieving classroom. This strategy does make a lot of common sense. It is true that people enjoy working or work harder when they enjoy it, therefore creating joy in the classroom in a wide array of forms in a “punctuated” manner, a positive classroom environment can be created. Through this strategy teachers assign work with a hefty amount of enthusiasm, passion, and energy not to undermine hard work, but inspire hard work because this is how it gets done.
Why should it work?
“The J-Factor” strategy should work because it is connected to expectancy and value theory of motivation. This theory determines how much a learner values a goal and whether or not they expect to succeed. This is related to “The J-Factor” because it is the teacher’s job in this technique to create value of the subject matter among students in a way that promotes interests and passion. This interest and passion will then create a higher expectancy for each student by giving him or her something they can do or that challenges them but having them enjoy it at the same time. They will then begin to believe they are capable of performing the task because the truly do enjoy it. One way to promote value and expectancy through “The J-Factor” is through fun and games. By creating games that a child will enjoy while asking questions you know they will know answers to and that challenge them, their joy or interest in the subject will be enhanced. They are not only having fun, they also value it because it is fun and begin to expect more of themselves. Another way to promote joy in the classroom is not only having students value a subject, but also letting students know that you value them. Teach Like A Champion suggests that teachers create joy in their students by being personal with them by for example creating nicknames. These nicknames can be used in passing in the hallway or as a reinforcement tool when you are letting them know you are on the right track. Obviously this nickname needs to be appropriate and motivating, but by creating one you are letting your students know that you value them. This creates an intrinsic joy that will also enhance how a student values your classroom. Joy can also be created through suspense and humor, and these techniques should be used sporadically throughout the day and in every lesson to keep students on their toes and build value.
How will it look?
“The J-Factor” is a strategy that I plan to use in my classroom on a daily basis. As a teacher, I want my students to be excited about coming to school and have the feeling of joy associated with learning. Specifically, I will create joy by developing those personal relationships where they find excitement in knowing that I care. Also, I want to create activities that are fun and relatable so when they are learning about a certain subject or certain skills, they will be motivated to accomplish goals and begin to expect more from themselves because they genuinely enjoy what they are doing. Granted, students are not going to enjoy every single aspect of the day, but by adding in a little “J-Factor” throughout the day, students will hopefully begin to value what is being taught more than ever before. I feel like promoting lessons by using intrinsic interest, students will want to achieve more and become more involved in the classroom.
“The J-Factor” is a strategy that promotes finding joy in the work of learning. This technique is meant to not only promote happiness in the classroom, but also a high achieving classroom. This strategy does make a lot of common sense. It is true that people enjoy working or work harder when they enjoy it, therefore creating joy in the classroom in a wide array of forms in a “punctuated” manner, a positive classroom environment can be created. Through this strategy teachers assign work with a hefty amount of enthusiasm, passion, and energy not to undermine hard work, but inspire hard work because this is how it gets done.
Why should it work?
“The J-Factor” strategy should work because it is connected to expectancy and value theory of motivation. This theory determines how much a learner values a goal and whether or not they expect to succeed. This is related to “The J-Factor” because it is the teacher’s job in this technique to create value of the subject matter among students in a way that promotes interests and passion. This interest and passion will then create a higher expectancy for each student by giving him or her something they can do or that challenges them but having them enjoy it at the same time. They will then begin to believe they are capable of performing the task because the truly do enjoy it. One way to promote value and expectancy through “The J-Factor” is through fun and games. By creating games that a child will enjoy while asking questions you know they will know answers to and that challenge them, their joy or interest in the subject will be enhanced. They are not only having fun, they also value it because it is fun and begin to expect more of themselves. Another way to promote joy in the classroom is not only having students value a subject, but also letting students know that you value them. Teach Like A Champion suggests that teachers create joy in their students by being personal with them by for example creating nicknames. These nicknames can be used in passing in the hallway or as a reinforcement tool when you are letting them know you are on the right track. Obviously this nickname needs to be appropriate and motivating, but by creating one you are letting your students know that you value them. This creates an intrinsic joy that will also enhance how a student values your classroom. Joy can also be created through suspense and humor, and these techniques should be used sporadically throughout the day and in every lesson to keep students on their toes and build value.
How will it look?
“The J-Factor” is a strategy that I plan to use in my classroom on a daily basis. As a teacher, I want my students to be excited about coming to school and have the feeling of joy associated with learning. Specifically, I will create joy by developing those personal relationships where they find excitement in knowing that I care. Also, I want to create activities that are fun and relatable so when they are learning about a certain subject or certain skills, they will be motivated to accomplish goals and begin to expect more from themselves because they genuinely enjoy what they are doing. Granted, students are not going to enjoy every single aspect of the day, but by adding in a little “J-Factor” throughout the day, students will hopefully begin to value what is being taught more than ever before. I feel like promoting lessons by using intrinsic interest, students will want to achieve more and become more involved in the classroom.