Motivation is a psychological feature that evokes a desire to achieve a certain goal. Students have different goals on their studies. Teachers spend most time with students and should be able to motivate them towards achieving their goals. There are numerous ways that teachers can implement this. First, Rapport/Constant communication. Keeping in touch with pupils is key to knowing their worries. Teachers should not be afraid to ask the hard questions to their pupils. Look for a way to strike rapport with your pupils especially the reserved ones. The questions could help unearth a problem or challenge facing a student. Some kids have low self – esteem and only need a one on one session with a teacher to help them open up what is disturbing them.
Second, Switching teaching strategies/Materials. Teachers need to vary their teaching methods and never stick to one. For example, a text can be read, acted, turned into a poem, into informative flyers and adverts. A single repetitive method of teaching is boring to any student. Some of the ways of teaching are classroom participation, alteration, demonstrations and checking for understanding. Switching of teaching methods takes into consideration the slow learners as well as the fast learners. Employ the strategy that brings your particular lesson alive for all taking into consideration their abilities. Group challenges work better than pinpointing a particular pupil to answer questions and, pupils love group work. Change, improvise and introduce teaching aids. Pupils will enjoy making aids if you describe what you need and if you involve them. Move out of traditional white or black board.
Third, Reinforcement. Praise and reward pupils upon achieving a target. Everyone loves praise! Students get motivated when they are rewarded for hard work. This could be as little as having their names read out during assembly or putting their names on notice board also makes them feel great. If your school has a school magazine, you could publish the top performers in your subject/ class or activity in a magazine. Organize a road trip for the whole class to museums, game parks or monuments for maintaining discipline for a whole term. Before any reward is given, pupils should know a teacher’s expectations.
Fourth, Sanctions. Interestingly, sanctions work as well as reinforcement. When you withhold a favor/treats until a task is accomplished or a grade achieved, you are motivating the learner to push his abilities. Careful though! the targets must be achievable. If you use sanctions against unachievable targets, the opposite happens the learner becomes demotivated and can even become resentful if everyone else gets the favor and he is left out.
And lastly, Flexibility. Don’t be overly bossy as a teacher. Be a child at times, children are spontaneous. Create opportunities for students to express themselves in a non learning environment. This way, you learn them; their needs, their soft spots, strong points, their social skills and so on. Now, when you know all these, you are in a better position to tackle issues in their world which could be interfering with their academic performance. This can be done by picking on a day in a week to do an extraordinary activity. Of course you need to ensure that scheduled learning is not disrupted. Surprise the whole class with a birthday gift/celebration for a pupil.
You don’t have to be the best paid teacher, the school head, work in a rich school or have the best resources as can be found in stores in order to have a motivated class. You just need to realize the wonders that motivation performs on learner performance. And it’s spiral. A motivated class makes a motivated teacher.
By: Mrs. GLENDA D. CABUAL | Teacher III | Casupanan Elementary School | Palihan, Hermosa, Bataan
