Which approach would be considered most beneficial for developing student motivation?

Encouraging students to set personal goals is considered the most beneficial approach for developing student motivation because it fosters a sense of ownership and personal investment in their learning journey. When students articulate their own goals, they are more likely to feel accountable for their progress and can better connect their daily efforts to long-term aspirations. This personal relevance boosts intrinsic motivation, as students are motivated to achieve goals that resonate with their interests and desires.

Additionally, this approach enables differentiation, allowing for a range of abilities and learning styles. Students can create goals that are appropriately challenging for themselves, increasing their engagement and sense of agency in their learning process. By focusing on personal growth rather than just comparative achievement, students may also develop resilience, as they see their efforts contributing to their own development over time.

This strategy creates an environment where all students can thrive, making it significantly more effective than approaches that either restrict feedback or praise to a select few, or limit collaborative learning opportunities based on perceived ability.