Do you know your students’ hopes and dreams?

nc15-Dr Russ Quaglia

How to motivate students to learn?

IN his animated and engaging mainstage presentation at the SSAT National Conference 2015, Dr. Russ Quaglia unpacked recent research into student voice and aspirations. This research provided four stand-out statistics relating to the mindset of today’s students.

Throughout the final week of January we polled our followers on Twitter – asking for the correct answer to each of the following research-based questions:

Answers on film

Polling was open 7.30-20.00 daily and at the end of each poll we posted a short film that featured the answer from Russ himself. Polling results and films from Russ are below.


Poll 1 – Students are how many times more likely to be motivated to learn if… they believe they have a voice in school?

Thirty-four percent of you answered correctly:

Students are 7 times more likely to be motivated to learn if they believe they have a voice in school. Here’s Russ himself with the answer:


Poll 2 – Students are how many times more likely to be motivated to learn if… they have a sense of self-worth?

Fifty-three percent of you answered correctly:

Students are 5 times more likely to be motivated to learn if they believe they have a sense of self-worth. Here’s Russ himself with the answer:


Poll 3 – students are how many times more likely to be motivated to learn if… they are engaged in school?

A majority 30 percent thought students are 8 times more likely to be motivated to learn if they are engaged in school.

Research suggests that the actual figure is double this – students are 16 times more likely to be motivated to learn if they are engaged in school. Once again, here’s Russ with more:


Poll 4 – students are how many times more likely to be motivated to learn if… teachers know their hopes and dreams

Fifty-five percent of you answered correctly:

Students are 18 times more likely to be motivated to learn if their teachers know their hopes and dreams. Here’s Russ with more:


Thank you to everyone who voted – we hope you’ve enjoyed the films.



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