Designing a Motivational Curriculum Using the ARCS Model
This paper examines the redesign of a Grade 5 Stock Market unit of study through the lens of student engagement and motivation. The author first identifies the unit's existing strengths — including mastery of learning content and varied assessment methods — and its weaknesses, notably a lack of student collaboration. The paper then applies Keller's ARCS Model of Motivation (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) as a framework for addressing those weaknesses. Specific instructional modifications are proposed for each ARCS component, including technology-enhanced activities, peer collaboration in small groups, self-evaluation tools, and reward systems designed to strengthen both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
- Introduction: Motivation for redesigning curriculum using ARCS model
- Unit Overview and Goals: Grade 5 Stock Market unit objectives and goals
- Strengths and Weaknesses of the Unit: Identifying what to keep and improve
- Applying the ARCS Motivational Framework: ARCS components applied to unit modifications
- Conclusion: Summary of findings and model's value
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a structured analytical framework (the ARCS Model) to evaluate an existing curriculum unit, giving the argument a clear, organized logic.
- Each ARCS component is addressed systematically — current practice is described, then a specific improvement strategy is proposed — making recommendations concrete and actionable.
- The paper honestly acknowledges both strengths and weaknesses of the unit, demonstrating balanced critical reflection rather than one-sided critique.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied framework analysis: it takes an established theoretical model (Keller's ARCS Model) and uses each of its four components as an evaluative lens against a real curriculum unit. This technique shows the student can translate abstract theory into practical instructional decisions, a core competency in education coursework.
Structure breakdown
The paper is divided into two clearly labeled parts. Part 1 presents the unit's context, objectives, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Part 2 applies the ARCS framework component by component (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction), each with a before-and-after structure. A brief conclusion ties the analysis together. This two-part format — diagnose, then prescribe — is effective for curriculum reflection assignments at the undergraduate level.
Introduction
Student motivation and engagement has emerged as a crucial factor in enhancing learning outcomes and student achievement. In this regard, teachers not only need to utilize motivational teaching strategies, but also need to develop motivational curriculum. When designing curriculum units, it is important for teachers to incorporate strategies that will engage and motivate students. This process sometimes entails examining and redeveloping an existing curriculum unit based on student participation and motivation.
This paper examines one unit of study in my lesson plan through the lens of student engagement and motivation. The unit will be evaluated and reconstructed using the ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) Model of Motivation.
Unit Overview and Goals
Unit Title: Stock Market
Unit Objectives: To understand what a company and a brand are, as well as the distinguishing characteristics between companies and brands.
Subject Area: What Is a Company
Target Group/Grade: Grade 5
The first goal of this unit of study is to identify and describe a company. The second goal is to help students identify and describe a brand. The third goal is to enable students to understand the similarities and differences between the distinguishing characteristics of companies and brands.
References
Keller, J. M. (2017, August 1). Development and use of the ARCS model of instructional design. Journal of Instructional Development, 10(3), 1–10.
Keller, J. (2000, February). How to integrate learner motivation planning into lesson planning: The ARCS model approach. Retrieved from Nova Southeastern University website: http://apps.fischlerschool.nova.edu/toolbox/instructionalproducts/ITDE_8005/weeklys/2000-Keller-ARCSLessonPlanning.pdf
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