Motivating students is one of the greatest challenges teachers face. While it is true that teachershave little control over external factors that influence students’ behavior and engagement, teachers play a vital role in shaping what occurs in the classroom. In fact, the instructional choices made and behaviors shown by teachers can make a positive impact on student motivation.

Here are the following strategies to motivate students to learn:

1. Set the learning objectives clearly. Set high, yet realistic expectations. Make sure to voice those expectations. Set short terms goals and celebrate when they are achieved.

2. Select various teaching methods. Instead of the traditional lecture, teachers can incorporate academic activities that allow students to actively participate in the class and allow for more immediate feedback. Incorporating problem-based learning, collaborative learning, experiments, and the use of technology, allows for greater student interaction and the opportunity for students to practice newly acquired skills and knowledge. Supplementing the lecture with simulation, a panel discussion, or student presentations can break the monotony and minimize passive observation.

3. Give students options in the classroom. Empower students by giving them a sense of autonomy and byhelping them develop skills for self-directed learning. Whether it’s allowing students to select a research topic or getting their input when designing an evaluative rubric, students’ motivation is increased if they feel that they have control of their learning outcomes.

4. Create learning activities that are appropriately challenging. It’s important to consider the students interests, background knowledge, and abilities when designing learning plan. Provide students with the opportunity for early success and gradually increase the degree of difficulty with the activities as the semester progresses. The key is to strike a balance so that every student feels that he/she, with reasonable effort, has the capability to succeed while still being challenged to stretch his/her limits.

5. Make lessons relevant to the students. Research suggests that students display greater enthusiasm and interest for a course if they can relate the content and course activities to their daily lives. By connecting the material to real-world experiences or their educational goals, either through, examples or in-class activities, it will deepen their understanding of the material and allow the students to see the value of what they are learning.

6. Facilitate learning.One of the vital roles of teachers is a facilitator of learning.  It is often a formidable and time consuming task to find ways to motivate students that will achieve the academic goals being established for the subject.

7. Show enthusiasm.Teachers are the major source of stimulation for the subject matter and the overall tone of the classroom. Therefore, it is important for teachers to model the behavior they want to see their students display. If the teachers appear bored and uninterested in the subject, the students will most likely respond to that negative energy and apathetic attitude by duplicating it. Being excited about the subject content, presenting the information and activities in an organized and interesting way, and showing a genuine interest in teaching will go a long way in maintaining student attention.

8. Avoid excessive competition. While students need opportunities to interact with their peers, and many students claim to be inspired by competition, teachers must not create an environment that is conducive to comparison, divisions, or derisive dialogue among students. These intenseand extremely competitive types of classroom settings can induce performance anxiety which can interfere with student learning, thereby counteracting the goal of motivation.

9. Communicate an expectation of success. Students will rise to the teacher’s expectations which are communicated by the level of engagement and interaction with the students. This can be something as informal as using students’ names in class to a formal evaluation of their work. Subtle forms of behavior, even if unintentional, can be a powerful influence on student performance.

10. Provide constructive, timely feedback. Students want to be recognized for the hard work and effort they put into their classes, and many view grades as a primary incentive for their scholastic efforts. By returning assignments quickly and by constructively communicating positive and negative feedback, teachers are able to acknowledge the students’ hard work while still encouraging them to strive for more. If students don’t receive feedback on their work, it is often difficult for them to know whether or not they are fully meeting the teacher’sexpectations and learning the material.

While it is unlikely that one single event will dramatically alter a student’s motivation to learn, or will positively impact on the students, it is important to acknowledge that student motivation is dynamic. Through the teachers’ own behavior, course design and teaching practices, classroom conditions that encourage engagement and motivation to learn on a variety of levels can be created. By implementing

anarray of strategies that fit the teacher’s teaching style and classroom environment, teachers can greatly stimulate and sustain students’ motivation to learn.

 

By: Mrs. Ma. Lanie M. Gamit | Teacher II | Mariveles National Highschoo- Poblacion | Mariveles, Bataan