Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is using success in an area of your life as a personal reference point for ability, leading to a sense of personal achievement and belief in yourself. This lesson explores the concept of ‘self-efficacy’ and developing ‘self-belief’. These skills are important for students using a positive outlook to achieve goals and develop resilience.

Year Level

7-10

Duration

60 minutes

Type

  • In class activity

SEL Competencies

  • Self-awareness
  • Social awareness
  • Relationship skills
  • Responsible decision-making

Learning Intention

Students learn that having success in something, and then using that as a personal reference point for ability, leads to further success, achievement and a belief in themselves.

Key Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will understand that:

  • having a belief in their abilities will help to improve their resilience
  • recording and reflecting on past experiences, and how they made them feel, will equip them with the skills needed during tough times and when striving for greater achievements.
ACTIVITY 01

Class discussion: What is self-efficacy? 20 min

Self-efficacy is having success in something, then using that as a personal reference point for ability, and working on that to bring further success, achievement and a belief in yourself. For example, a student isn’t particularly gifted in a certain subject but believes in her own ability to learn it well.

Self-efficacy fosters determination and perseverance to overcome obstacles that would interfere with achieving goals. It’s a reflection of an individual’s confidence in their ability to exert control over their own motivation, behaviour and social environment.

  1. Read students the definition of self-efficacy.
  2. Ask them to identify a time when they were successful at something and to think about how this affected them.