On June 16, the Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) hosted another meeting of the “Head-to-Head” collaborative platform during which participants discussed the interrelationship between motivation and mental health in the educational process.

The speaker was Associate Professor Vahan Sargsyan, Head of Scientific Programs at the “Chess” Scientific Research Institute, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, who delivered a presentation on the topic “Motivation and Mental Health.”

At the beginning of the meeting, the speaker addressed the psychological foundations of motivation, emphasizing that it encompasses a set of processes that stimulate, guide and stabilize learner's behaviour, affecting not only the effectiveness of learning but also the individual's engagement, self-regulation, and psychological well-being.

During the interactive meeting, Vahan Sargsyan presented a number of examples of goal orientation, which the participants discussed and analyzed, considering their impact on the development of learners’ motivation.

The speaker also referred to the theory of growth and fixed mindsets developed by American psychologist Carol Dweck, emphasizing how an individual's mindset can shape attitudes towards learning, perceptions of challenges, and opportunities for growth and development.

When speaking about the phenomenon of “flow,” Vahan Sargsyan noted that it most often emerges in situations where individuals develop a sense of mastery and become fully involved in the activity they are engaged in.

He said that the flow state typically arises when individuals engage in activities or are involved in situations that are neither too difficult nor too easy for them, thereby maintaining a balance between their abilities and the requirements set before them.

In his presentation, the speaker also introduced the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), addressing the mechanisms underlying the development of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well as a number of important strategies that can help increase learners’ engagement and promote more effective participation in the learning process.

Let us add that the "Head-to-Head" exchange platform has turned into an effective environment for professional dialogue and exchange of experience among participants.

During the meeting, certificates were given to the speakers of the previous three meetings in recognition of their high professional standards in leading the platform’s sessions, ensuring the active involvement of participants, and contributing to the dissemination and exchange of valuable knowledge and experience.

Naira Safaryan, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at ASPU, also congratulated and handed over certificates to the school principals who had participated in the training program entitled “Innovative Management and Organization of Education.” She emphasized the importance of mastering modern management approaches and the need to introduce innovations in the educational system.