Keller's ARCS Model

We all want new technological tools to be used to enhance productivity and promote creativity at work and school. However, the tools themselves cannot do the job; students, employees, pedagogues have to be motivated to use these tools properly. Motivation is a main aspect to achieving a successful outcome at school and or work.  The best teaching methods will not succeed if the student is not motivated to learn, but if his only goal is to pass the test, and at work, the unmotivated employee will only do the job required without putting any additional thought into projects.
Keller’s ARCS model points out important points such as the need to grab a student’s attention, to develop relevance to matters with which the student is familiar, to help students build confidence through encouragement and setting attainable goals during the learning process. Moreover, satisfaction is achieved through positive feedback and rewards for students and employees.
An example is my class where students are currently working through the service learning program on developing a website for one of the local chapters for the TSA organization.  To achieve the desired outcome, students have to be wholly motivated and understand the importance of the project.  Following Keller's ARCS Model helps in generating interest by the students which inspires motivation.  For attention, curiosity was stimulated toward the project. Students work collaboratively and build on each other's strengths. Moreover, through brainstorming and generating ideas, their confidence in their abilities grow. Students understand the relevance of the project to their professional development. The project is relevant because the students build on their previous knowledge, use creativity, learn through researching and developing new skills which they share in their groups and outside their group with other class members. As the semester is coming to conclusion, so is the project. The confidence has been developed in the students through the project because they controlled the process and the final outcome is result of their work.  I know that students are motivated, because at the end of the each class, they continue to work and do not run out.

Reference:
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Keller, J. M. (2006, June 20). Motivation Design. Retrieved January 26, 2010, from : http://www.arcsmodel.com/home.htm