Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:881] Fear and learning and the pressure / performance curve
From: Diana Carl (dianacarl@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Fri 12 Jan 2001 - 03:17:34 MET
From: "Diana Carl" <dianacarl@worldnet.att.net> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:881] Fear and learning and the pressure / performance curve Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 21:17:34 -0500
Let's examine fear as a form of "pressure" on an individual and response to
the pressure ... whether it is perceived or real. The pressure/performance
curve is very instructive about when pressure can be constructive in
facilitating performance. There is a point at which pressure is increased
to a point that the ability to perform dramatically drops. Performance can
be equated with learning. That is, there is a point at which pressure
increases learning: it increases attention and provides motivation for
attending to the content. There is also a point where the pressure becomes
"excess noise" in the student's head and after which the ability to attend
to the learning event and to be motivated becomes inhibited by the noise.
Drawing the parallel to fear, it would seem that some fear is healthy and
constructive in the learning process. But excessive fear is destructive to
the process.
We are seeing examples of this the K-12 arena in some areas. In cases where
teachers freely praise students for whatever performance they do, pressure
is at too low a threshold, and students are in a zone that is too
comfortable. We can see this in "feel good mathematics" and curricula more
concerned with making students feel good about themselves rather than
helping them grow. In these instances, why should they learn? Motivation
is absent. By adding pressure discomfort increases, and concurrently, the
motivation to learn increases. Moreover, by pushing the pressure envelope
further when the student is ready for it, the teacher increases the comfort
level of the student in performing under pressure.
It is the creative and sensitive use of pressure that takes students
forward. This is regardless of the technology used for learning. Not all
fear is bad. It can be very healthy.
Diana Carl
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