Influence of marks on primary schoolchildren’s behavior in the situation of choosing a learning task

The aim of the research presented in the article was to reveal the influence of school marks on primary schoolchildren’s behavior in the situation of choosing a learning task, their learning self-appraisal and motivation. The sample included 20 pupils of the 4th grade of the educational center (school) # 975 in Moscow: 10 boys and 10 girls with different levels of academic achievements. The research was comprised of two experiments in which pupils chose on their own learning tasks on Math that were assessed with marks. The difference between the two experiments was in peculiarities of giving marks for the results of the children’s work. The investigation displayed that, firstly, certain modifications of school assessment system may overcome its drawbacks and, secondly, situation of choice may become an effective instrument of indirect management of pupils’ learning activity.

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