Students’ Motivation – A concern for Many Teachers…..?

Well, when we talk about theories of motivation it is a very well-known fact that the desire to learn happen arises due to mainly two factors;

·         Internal Factors (Intrinsic Motivation) Students may engage in learning because of aroused internal desire to perform learning task, giving them pleasure.

·         External Factors (Extrinsic Motivation): Students may be desired to learn because of magnetic latitude of external forces of rewards, prizes, badges, good grades, school-posts (prefects, cadet post, school captain, games captain etc..) uniform bodies etc.

An effective teaching and learning can never happen with our motivation or inspiration to learn. I believe it is duty of all stakeholders (parents, teachers, school management & School Administrators inclusive) to inspire the students for learning throughout study course.

The three theories of Motivation commonly applied in classrooms in teaching and learning context are;

• ·         Cognitive Theory; (Expectancy X value theory)

• ·         Behavioral view of motivation

• ·         Humanistic theory of motivation

In Behavioral view of motivation, Pavlov Classical Conditioning & Skinner’s operant conditioning, Bandura social, observational learning & Reinforcement are adhered approaches.

As learners even students should be satisfied with Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. The reasons why we are concerned with theories of motivation in classroom teaching and learning are;

• ·         It gives frequent, early, positive feedback that supports belief that they can do well.

• ·         It ensures opportunities for student’s success assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult.

• ·         It helps students find personal meaning and value in the material.

• ·         It creates an atmosphere that is open and positive.

• ·         It helps students feel that they are valued members of a learning community

Even though “theories of motivation” did not become central focus in teaching and learning, we cannot ignore its importance as the learning actively begins with intrinsic motivation – the self/ internal desire to learn.

Teachers are often worried about the student’s performance, behavior (inside school complex & outside school complex). Teachers lose the time allotted to teach the subject due to disruptions and classroom control issues.

Of course, “motivation” itself does not eradicate all problems in teaching and learning context but definitely it will eliminate expected issues.

An entire class (no. of students) cannot be either motivated through only a single technique (reward) or with only help of single teacher. I believe, a collaborative effort as a collective approach towards motivation of students is needed.

 From my own teaching experiences………

• ·         I have experienced some students are encouraged to study more when teacher gives feedback promptly on students’ work and assigning difficult tasks for brilliant students.

• ·         Students are more motivated to learn when teacher uses student-centered teaching techniques (indirect teaching strategies)

• ·         Students are inspired to learn when teacher guides the student – guided teaching and learning even help students with learning difficulties to move ahead.

• ·         Rewards like badges, stars act like as motivators to lower grade kids than higher grade students.

• ·         Students like visual aids rather than context-based text all times – graphic organizers, power point presentations can be used in lessons.

• ·         When parents’ value child’s progress and learning in front of teachers, others, it increases inspirations of child.