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Motivation as an Aspect of Professional Competence: Research Findings on Teacher Enthusiasm

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Cognitive Activation in the Mathematics Classroom and Professional Competence of Teachers

Part of the book series: Mathematics Teacher Education ((MTEN,volume 8))

Abstract

This chapter addresses teachers’ motivational characteristics as an aspect of their professional competence. It begins with a theoretical overview of motivation as an aspect of professional competence and of research findings on teacher motivation. Research findings from COACTIV with a focus on teachers’ enthusiasm are then reported. Teacher enthusiasm is an intrinsic motivational disposition that is assumed to be a central factor in determining teachers’ professional success. In COACTIV, we distinguish between teachers’ enthusiasm for their subject and enthusiasm for the activity of teaching. Our findings show that both aspects vary between teachers and that enthusiasm can change over time. Moreover, our results indicate that teachers’ enthusiasm for teaching, but not their enthusiasm for the subject, influences their instructional quality and, in turn, their students’ achievement and motivation. The chapter concludes with a review of the current state of knowledge and an outlook on future research questions and their practical implications.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This argument is frequently found in the US literature, as US teachers long received very low salaries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, PEG, Grüneburgplatz 1, 60323, Frankfurt, Germany

    Mareike Kunter

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  1. Mareike Kunter
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Correspondence to Mareike Kunter .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Institute of Psychology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Postfach 125, Frankfurt am Main, 60054, Germany

    Mareike Kunter

  2. , Center for Educational Research, Max Planck Institute for Human Developme, Lentzeallee 94, Berlin, 14195, Germany

    Jürgen Baumert

  3. Mathematik/Informatik, Universität Kassel, Kassel, 34109, Germany

    Werner Blum

  4. Christian Albrecht University, Kiel, Lentzeallee 94, Berlin, 14195, Germany

    Ute Klusmann

  5. , Faculty of Mathematics Education of Math, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, Regensburg, 93053, Germany

    Stefan Krauss

  6. , Institute of Mathematics, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenbu, Oldenburg, 26111, Germany

    Michael Neubrand

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Kunter, M. (2013). Motivation as an Aspect of Professional Competence: Research Findings on Teacher Enthusiasm. In: Kunter, M., Baumert, J., Blum, W., Klusmann, U., Krauss, S., Neubrand, M. (eds) Cognitive Activation in the Mathematics Classroom and Professional Competence of Teachers. Mathematics Teacher Education, vol 8. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5149-5_13

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