Motivation
No matter if you are a teacher who has been in the classroom for many years or teacher who is brand new to teaching, it is important to discover what motivates students to learn. These reasons can either be intrinsic or extrinsic, but crucial to know for students to be successful. The ultimate goal for most teachers is for students to be self-motivated and excited to learn. This goal may not be an easy task but definitely rewarding as it helps students uncover a gift they can keep for a lifetime.
15 Ways to Motivate Students
1. Give students a some control
Providing guidance for students is necessary, but allowing them to have some control over how they learn is a great way to keep them engaged. Providing choices empowers students to take learning into their own hands. For example, allow students to choose which problems to work on or assignments to choose from can motivate students in learning. Also empower students in setting goals and objectives for themselves to help them uncover intrinsic motivation.
2. Make clear rules and objectives
In the beginning of the year, create rules and expectations so that students know what they should be working towards. Students do want structure and clarity and providing this will promote a healthy learning environment.
3. Create a safe environment
Create a safe supportive environment and affirm beliefs in a student’s abilities. This doesn’t completely negate the fact that there should be consequences for actions, but it’s very important to focus on what students can do as opposed to what they cannot. Building a community is an ongoing process, but can create a classroom where there is open communication and encouragement amongst its members.
4. Change your setting
Sitting at a desk daily can be quite mundane. If there is opportunities to change where students learn take it. Give students an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. Go on field trips, invite guest speakers or go to the library etc to create some excitement.
5. Appeal to multiple intelligences
It is fair to say that no two people are the same. Differentiating instruction provides opportunities for students to learn in different ways, which appeals to multiple intelligences. Some students may enjoy reading quietly while others enjoy working in groups. Mix it up and try different ways to keep students engaged.
6. Allow students to have some control
By assigning different classroom jobs it can build a sense of community. Most students will see these roles as a privilege. It can provide opportunities for students to feel a sense of leadership and therefore feeling valued.
7. Allow students to work together
Providing opportunities for students to work together can help students be excited to learn with and from each other. Teachers should ensure that groups are balanced for fair participation.
8. Provide positive reinforcement and recognition when it is earned
Giving praise for a job well done is simple and extremely motivational for everyone no matter the age. Publicly sharing exemplary work or even providing students opportunities to acknowledge each other for a job well done are great ways to keep students motivated. Keep guardians informed as well by sending positive notes home to continue encouragement outside of the classroom.
9. Provide students feedback immediately and constructively
Providing guidance and feedback can explicitly show students where their strengths are and ways to improve in the future. Verbal and written feedback gives students a plan of action and to help them achieve goals.
10. Be enthusiastic!!!!
Keep students motivated by being enthusiastic about what you are teaching. Find your passion in teaching and it will positively affect your students.
11. Get to know your students
Your students are not just names to remember, they all have their own story and personal journey. A teacher who genuinely wants to know their students can positively affect their learning. Care and concern is needed to promote a safe learning environment and students want to feel recognized and praised by someone who they respect.
Knowing your students will also help in finding material that will interest students. By making connections to their experiences or interests, teachers can keep students engaged and motivated.
12. Help students find intrinsic motivation
Being able to motivate students is helpful, but helping students find their own reasons to be motivated is lifetime gift. Students might be motivated to start a career or maybe they just love to learn. Give students opportunities for self-reflection so they can better understand themselves. Whatever their motivation is, uncover it and encourage them to embrace it.
13. Make high yet attainable goals
Challenge students to do their best work. Expect excellence but be realistic when setting goals. Nothing can be more frustrating than students try to reach an unrealistic goal. Expect excellence, but be realistic in setting goals.
14. Offer rewards
Providing rewards to can offer motivation to students. Even though, intrinsic motivation is desired, extrinsic motivation can help students find intrinsic motivation as well. Providing rewards that are appreciated to students, such as awarding students with their choice of free activity can create excitement and encouragement for desired results.
15. Track improvement
It can sometimes be difficult for a student to see their improvement over a period of time. Tracking student progress can help students visualize their improvement and motivate them to continue to work hard as the year continues.
1. Give students a some control
Providing guidance for students is necessary, but allowing them to have some control over how they learn is a great way to keep them engaged. Providing choices empowers students to take learning into their own hands. For example, allow students to choose which problems to work on or assignments to choose from can motivate students in learning. Also empower students in setting goals and objectives for themselves to help them uncover intrinsic motivation.
2. Make clear rules and objectives
In the beginning of the year, create rules and expectations so that students know what they should be working towards. Students do want structure and clarity and providing this will promote a healthy learning environment.
3. Create a safe environment
Create a safe supportive environment and affirm beliefs in a student’s abilities. This doesn’t completely negate the fact that there should be consequences for actions, but it’s very important to focus on what students can do as opposed to what they cannot. Building a community is an ongoing process, but can create a classroom where there is open communication and encouragement amongst its members.
4. Change your setting
Sitting at a desk daily can be quite mundane. If there is opportunities to change where students learn take it. Give students an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. Go on field trips, invite guest speakers or go to the library etc to create some excitement.
5. Appeal to multiple intelligences
It is fair to say that no two people are the same. Differentiating instruction provides opportunities for students to learn in different ways, which appeals to multiple intelligences. Some students may enjoy reading quietly while others enjoy working in groups. Mix it up and try different ways to keep students engaged.
6. Allow students to have some control
By assigning different classroom jobs it can build a sense of community. Most students will see these roles as a privilege. It can provide opportunities for students to feel a sense of leadership and therefore feeling valued.
7. Allow students to work together
Providing opportunities for students to work together can help students be excited to learn with and from each other. Teachers should ensure that groups are balanced for fair participation.
8. Provide positive reinforcement and recognition when it is earned
Giving praise for a job well done is simple and extremely motivational for everyone no matter the age. Publicly sharing exemplary work or even providing students opportunities to acknowledge each other for a job well done are great ways to keep students motivated. Keep guardians informed as well by sending positive notes home to continue encouragement outside of the classroom.
9. Provide students feedback immediately and constructively
Providing guidance and feedback can explicitly show students where their strengths are and ways to improve in the future. Verbal and written feedback gives students a plan of action and to help them achieve goals.
10. Be enthusiastic!!!!
Keep students motivated by being enthusiastic about what you are teaching. Find your passion in teaching and it will positively affect your students.
11. Get to know your students
Your students are not just names to remember, they all have their own story and personal journey. A teacher who genuinely wants to know their students can positively affect their learning. Care and concern is needed to promote a safe learning environment and students want to feel recognized and praised by someone who they respect.
Knowing your students will also help in finding material that will interest students. By making connections to their experiences or interests, teachers can keep students engaged and motivated.
12. Help students find intrinsic motivation
Being able to motivate students is helpful, but helping students find their own reasons to be motivated is lifetime gift. Students might be motivated to start a career or maybe they just love to learn. Give students opportunities for self-reflection so they can better understand themselves. Whatever their motivation is, uncover it and encourage them to embrace it.
13. Make high yet attainable goals
Challenge students to do their best work. Expect excellence but be realistic when setting goals. Nothing can be more frustrating than students try to reach an unrealistic goal. Expect excellence, but be realistic in setting goals.
14. Offer rewards
Providing rewards to can offer motivation to students. Even though, intrinsic motivation is desired, extrinsic motivation can help students find intrinsic motivation as well. Providing rewards that are appreciated to students, such as awarding students with their choice of free activity can create excitement and encouragement for desired results.
15. Track improvement
It can sometimes be difficult for a student to see their improvement over a period of time. Tracking student progress can help students visualize their improvement and motivate them to continue to work hard as the year continues.
References:
Condron, Annie. The 12 Ways to Motivate Students. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/top-12-ways-motivate-students.How to Motivate Your Students: What Every Teacher Should Know but Doesn’t. Retrieved from
http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/12/10/how-to-motivate-your-students-what-every-teacher-should-know-but-doesnt/
Harris, Robert. Some Ideas for Motivating Students. Virtual Salt. Retrieved from http://www.virtualsalt.com/motivate.htm
Condron, Annie. The 12 Ways to Motivate Students. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/top-12-ways-motivate-students.How to Motivate Your Students: What Every Teacher Should Know but Doesn’t. Retrieved from
http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/12/10/how-to-motivate-your-students-what-every-teacher-should-know-but-doesnt/
Harris, Robert. Some Ideas for Motivating Students. Virtual Salt. Retrieved from http://www.virtualsalt.com/motivate.htm