Student Learning & Development Flashcards

Which motivational theory distinguishes between intrinsic motivation (doing an activity for its own sake) and extrinsic motivation (doing it for external rewards)?

Answer: Self-determination theory

Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan) identifies intrinsic and extrinsic motivation along a continuum and links autonomous motivation to greater well-being and learning.

A student with auditory processing disorder (APD) would benefit MOST from which college classroom accommodation?

Answer: Preferential seating near the instructor and access to lecture notes or recordings

Students with APD struggle to accurately process spoken language, so proximity to the speaker and written/recorded material help compensate for auditory processing difficulties.

Research on the effects of sleep on adolescent learning consistently shows that:

Answer: Sleep deprivation significantly impairs memory consolidation, attention, and academic performance

Chronic sleep deprivation in adolescents disrupts memory consolidation and prefrontal cortex function, leading to measurable declines in academic performance and well-being.

An educational planner is helping a student choose between two colleges. One has small classes with high faculty engagement; the other has larger classes but more research opportunities. The best framework for guiding this decision is to consider:

Answer: The student's specific learning style, social needs, and academic goals

Educational planners match institutional characteristics to individual student learning profiles, goals, and social-emotional needs rather than relying on rankings or generic metrics.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a psychoeducational evaluation in the educational planning process?

Answer: To identify cognitive strengths, weaknesses, and learning disabilities that inform placement and support decisions

A psychoeducational evaluation provides a comprehensive cognitive and academic profile that guides educational placement, accommodation planning, and appropriate school matching.

A student from a first-generation college background may face which unique challenge that an educational planner should proactively address?

Answer: Limited access to social capital and insider knowledge about college application norms and expectations

First-generation students often lack access to the informal knowledge networks and guidance that students with college-educated parents take for granted, creating informational inequities.

The concept of 'learned helplessness,' introduced by Martin Seligman, is most relevant to educational planning when a student:

Answer: Believes repeated past failures mean future effort is futile and stops trying

Learned helplessness occurs when students believe their actions cannot influence outcomes, often resulting from repeated uncontrollable failures, and leads to disengagement and passive behavior.