Capital investment theory

Abstract

Purpose

To explain how cumulative efforts contribute to learning and literacy development.

Design/methodology/approach

A representation of how efforts lead to lasting growth is discussed through a variety of historical and current perspectives across content disciplines. This chapter includes depictions of how positive experiences can promote further success and recognizing one’s cumulative efforts and the effects from those are fundamental to educational attainment.

Findings

The value one places on tasks such as reading or writing is often aligned to the frequency with which those events occur. Students view their time and effort as capital; they are students’ most valued possessions, and how they allocate these commodities is a choice.

Practical implications

For students to become avid readers and writers, we must utilize a host of strategies to impress the notion that these activities are worth their attention, time, and investment.

Citation

(2014), "Capital investment theory", Theoretical Models of Learning and Literacy Development (Literacy Research, Practice and Evaluation, Vol. 4), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 191-216. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2048-045820140000004007