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The SDE Weekend 3: Intrinsic Motivation and Unschooling with Gina Riley, Ph.D.
This presentation explores the theories of Self-Determination, Cognitive Evaluation, and Intrinsic Motivation as it applies to unschooling and self directed learning. Because of curriculum and time constraints, intrinsic motivation may be difficult to facilitate within the traditional classroom. However, one of the most impressive strengths of unschooling is that the entire process revolves around a child or teen’s intrinsic motivation to learn. Let’s explore the power that intrinsically motivated, self directed learning provides.
Gina Riley
Gina Riley, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist, Clinical Professor, and Program Leader of the Adolescent Special Education Program at CUNY – Hunter College. Dr. Riley is a seasoned academic, with years of teaching, research, and supervisory experience within the fields of special education, psychology, and mental health counseling. In addition, Dr. Riley has over 25 years of experience in the field of online, hybrid, and hyflex teaching and learning. She is known internationally for her work in the fields of homeschooling, unschooling, and self-directed learning. Her books include “Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond The Classroom” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020) and “The Homeschooling Starter Guide” (Rockridge Press, 2021).
May 19th, 2023

Gina Riley
Gina Riley, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist, Clinical Professor, and Program Leader of the Adolescent Special Education Program at CUNY – Hunter College. Dr. Riley is a seasoned academic, with years of teaching, research, and supervisory experience within the fields of special education, psychology, and mental health counseling. In addition, Dr. Riley has over 25 years of experience in the field of online, hybrid, and hyflex teaching and learning. She is known internationally for her work in the fields of homeschooling, unschooling, and self-directed learning. Her books include “Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond The Classroom” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020) and “The Homeschooling Starter Guide” (Rockridge Press, 2021).

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