Luck
From WikEd
[edit] Descriptions, definitions, synonyms, organizer terms, types of
According to Wikipedia, luck can be defined as a chance happening, or as that which happens beyond a person's control. Luck is often regarded as a superstition, but it can be interpreted in many ways.
Merriam-Webster online defines luck as:
- a: a force that brings good fortune or adversity b: the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual
- favoring chance; also : success
[edit] Application in classrooms
"Luck" is one of the ways students attribute failure or success and is an external locus and is unstable and uncontrollable (Mayer, 475). To find out more about the Attribution Theory and how it affects the classroom, please check out the Wicked Attribution Theory link.
According to Attribution Theory, Luck shares the quality of being an external attribute with task difficulty, and it shares the quality of being an unstable attribute with effort. Ability is different from luck in both ways. Thus, as Bernard Weiner (1974) posits, one could see the most common attributes for success and failure on a chart like the one below:
Chart of main attributes:
Internal External
Stable Ability Task Difficulty
Unstable Effort Luck
It is important as teachers to study this model of Attribution Theory. We must be able to recognize when our students succeed and fail. We must look at both success and failure situations, and identify factors that contributed to each outcome. Without doubt, external factors play a role in the success/failure of student actions. Attribution is a dangerous game. We as teachers must encourage a sense of personal responsibility in our students. It is possible that luck played a part in one student remembering the answer to a question on a test, but it is more likely that they knew the answer because they paid attention in class, and studied at home. This hard work should be credited, and the behavior reinforced.
What is luck or attributiion in the mind of a failing student?
Luck is a good reason to stop trying.
Luck is the advantage that some students have over them, such as wealth, good looks, athletic skill, or intelegence.
Luck is something the "unlucky" have no control over, but that the lucky seem to have figured out.
Luck makes some people better than others
Attribution is the teacher likes the other students better.
Attribution is of course I failed, i'm not very smart.
Attribution is I lost the match because my tennis racket is of low quality, or the balls were flat
What is hard work to an "unlucky" student?
Hard work is a waste of time because they will fail anyway due to their bad luck.
Hard work is what they already do, but it doesn't matter.
Hard work is something that a teacher must recogonize and praise, even if the student fails in spite of it.
Attributing success and failure to factors such as luck leads students down a path of self-fulfilling prophecy. Since I have bad luck, and I'm going to fail anyway, I may as well not try. A way to eliminate this sort of thinking in the classroom is firts to identify students who are struggling. These students may even be making statements attributing their failures. The teacher must help the student to own the failure. When a student comes to terms with the true reason for failing, they become ready to take steps towards success. If the student works hard and succeeds, it is equally important that they are credited by the teacher. This can help them own the success. In addition, it is important for the student to recognize that their success was a result of their hard work.
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[edit] Evidence of effectiveness
The proof is in the pudding. Every day threr are lottery numbers in the paper. [edit]
[edit] Critics and their rationale
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[edit] Alternative explanations due to Diversity considerations
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[edit] Signed “life experiences”, testimonies and stories
Luck is something that I would not rely on.Luck can give false hope to students.The idea that maybe I will be lucky and the teacher won't collect my homework so I won't do it.Trust the words of experience.Luck will catch up with you in the form of bad luck and you'll be in trouble for not doing your homework.Trying to convince the students of this is another story. A.Harty
What is luck exactly? Is it when you jerk the wheel fast enough to avoid an accident or is it winning the lottery? I may say that I am not a "lucky" person because I have never won a raffle but the truth is that I am a lucky person becuase I am healthy, capable, and alive! I think that "luck" is in eye of the beholder. -N.R.
I have not yet decided how luck works. But I firmly belive in it. I know that one should never abuse ones luck or it will come back to abuse you. Also if I make enough wicked changes I might be lucky enough to pass this class. Phil
Luck could have something to do with a black cat or a rabbits foot. One may never know. But I think luck truly has something to do with the mind and the power that the mind has. If a student or an athlete think that because of a superstition that they have is making them lucky and helping them do well in the classroom or on the playing field, then by all means I say believe in it and keep doing it! J. Simmons
Luck is winning the lottery. Doing well or not doing well on an exam is based on what one knows or does not know. I think too many people use Luck as a justification or excuse. M. Rice
I don't believe in luck. I do however believe in people being able to be at the 'right place at the right time.' Certain people have a knack--through interaction and street knowledge to make it well. It is a talent to be "lucky" and things like the lottery are chance...big difference. -M. Hanes
[edit] References and other links of interest
Weiner, Bernard (1974). Achievement Motivation and Attribution Theory. General Learning Press.
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