The concept of student motivation is complex and often leaves educators feeling uneasy due to its elusive nature. Despite this, optimism is just one component of the multifaceted path to success.
Having a conversation with students about their achievements allow
them to appreciate their work and feel intrinsically motivated. Communicating to students that they have the capacity and potential to learn also has positive correlations to increasing motivation.
The thought that the successes that students achieve are
well deserved, and acknowledgement of that is warranted.
Goal Theory
The goals that students set can also be linked to
self identity, actions and feelings.
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This theory states that student learning
is improved when they are intrinsically motivated.
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Striving to evoke "feelings of authenticity"
in students is argued to be a a worthwhile investment of time. Putting in the effort to be in touch with popular music, media, and methods of communication so that students may have more authentic interactions may help foster motivation in the classroom.
A strategy to motivate students in the classroom is to be
relatable and being familiar with the media and experiences
that are in their lives at the moment.
Food For Thought...
While optimism remains
desirable, it is only one
ingredient of many in a
complicated recipe for
success. I enjoyed the
guidance of several
wonderful teachers during
my own education, one of
whom was not at all a
positive personality.
"The idea of student
motivation elicits discomfort
on the part of instructors for
various reasons, the most
important being that it has
been discussed for eons
without clear determination
of how to achieve or even
define it."
