Autonomy-Supportive Teaching in Higher Education - by Patrick M Whitehead (Paperback)

About the Book

A practical, comprehensive teaching guide for college faculty, no matter what the discipline or course, on using evidence-based, validated strategies and assessments for increasing student motivation to learn online and in-person-the pressing problem instructors face in these challenging times.

Book Synopsis

This book is for college faculty who are tired of student apathy, disinterest, and confrontation, and who are interested in helping their students cultivate inner motivational resources. Autonomous learners are interested in more than getting a good grade or doing as they're told--they benefit from the motivations that increase need satisfaction, lead to lifelong learning, and support a wide variety of independent learning objectives.
Using everyday language, Autonomy-Supportive Teaching in Higher Education: A Practical Guide for College Professors synthesizes the mountain of research conducted using autonomy-supportive teaching (AST) in the classroom. This book summaries the state-of-the-art motivation psychology for the classroom, provides eight workshops demonstrating evidence-based and classroom tested strategies for applying AST, and explores faculty and student reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of AST. With this text, readers can begin applying the principles of self-determination theory to their classrooms today.

Review Quotes

"Dr. Whitehead's Autonomy-Supportive Teaching in Higher Education is a game-changer for faculty looking to improve and energize their classes and students. At a time when motivation is diminished by the many challenges faced by students, Dr. Whitehead offers strategies, informed by autonomy-supportive teaching, to enhance learning and increase student success and faculty satisfaction. I would definitely recommend this book to faculty looking for strategies to motivate students and, by doing so, unlock their academic potential!" --Ashley Blackburn, University of Houston-Downtown

"Patrick Whitehead's excitement for autonomy-supportive teaching is palpable and contagious! As I read his book, I found myself wanting to jump up and implement idea after idea. Following his own advice, Whitehead provides satisfying rationales for his suggestions. This accessible volume will benefit veteran instructors and new faculty alike." --Jennifer D. Moss, The Teachers College, Emporia State University

"Approachable, robustly researched, and timely, this book productively challenges the oversimplified distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, providing strategies that teachers can use to design courses that students want to be a part of and excel in." --Daniel R. Sanford, Boise State University

"The question of motivation is central to any faculty member. Having a psychologist discuss the literature and AST and then provide practical, classroom-based examples of how the theory can be applied in classrooms is going to fill a pedagogical need. This book summarizes AST and the state of motivation psychology and then shows how AST works in the classroom and how faculty can apply it." --Mark McBeth, Idaho State University

"Autonomy-Supportive Teaching in Higher Education examines recent scholarship on motivation in the classroom, and it offers a more nuanced approach, demonstrating how motivation is on a continuum as opposed to either extrinsic or internal." --Melissa Vosen Callens, North Dakota State University

"A timely and practical resource, this book shares important insights into how an autonomy-supportive teaching style can bring a new perspective to understand students' motivation, enhance their learning experience, and foster well-being. Grounded in self-determination theory's decades of empirical research, the author brings autonomy-supportive teaching to life through his passion and personal experience. This book is unique and valuable as it explains in everyday language what autonomy-supportive teaching is and provides ways to implement it in practice. Highly relevant to anyone in education today." --Scott Shelton-Strong, Kanda University of International Studies

"Autonomy-Supportive Teaching in Higher Education: A Practical Guide for College Professors presents faculty with a theory-based, pragmatic guide to supporting students' achievement through teaching practices that allow students to develop autonomy-based motivations and agency in completing their coursework. In the current climate of change in higher education, such an approach is attractive in its goals and methods. I found myself reading the book both as a faculty member reflecting on my own teaching as well as the director of a teaching center who can use the process and materials included in the text as the basis for impactful programming with my colleagues across campus." --Karen Brakke, Spelman College

"To really motivate your students, you need to understand more than just the typical intrinsic/extrinsic line of thinking. This book explains how you can better support your students' autonomy for more meaningful and lasting motivation." --Diane M. Miller, University of Houston Downtown

"Patrick Whitehead's book is an excellent guide for college instructors looking to motivate their students. It is so difficult to find a theory- and research-driven book on teaching but Dr. Whitehead has done just that. Beside having scientific support for his methods, he also offers practical suggestions and ways to implement these ideas into any college classroom. I will be using this book in my graduate-level Teaching of Psychology course and in training future graduate teaching assistants." --Kristi Moore, Angelo State University; member, Texas Tech University System

"This book presents AST in an accessible way, thus contributing to the field of teaching and learning. This is especially true as the author breaks down intrinsic motivation as an umbrella term. Understanding intrinsic motivation as a continuum rather than a fixed mindset has the potential change how instructors approach student learning." --Jill DeTemple, Southern Methodist University, Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

About the Author

Patrick Whitehead is associate professor of psychology and coordinator of general education at Albany State University, where he was named 2019 scholar of the year. He has published six books including Psychologizing: A Personal, Practice-based Approach to Psychology and dozens of articles in the fields of psychology, philosophy, and higher education. He lives on a farm in Albany, Georgia, USA with his wife, Erica. For more information and resources for college faculty, see www.patrickmwhitehead.com