MOTIVATING STUDENTS

Adnan Omar, Head, Counselling and Psychological Services (CPSC), Taylors University College

Outline

Defining motivation Factors affecting students motivation General strategies Incorporating instructional behaviors Structuring the course Grades Responding to students work Motivating students to do reading

What Is Motivation?

Motives are needs, wants, interests and desires that propel people in certain directions. Motivation is a state within a person. It is a drive or potential like any other natural drive such as hunger. Motivation involves goal-directed behavior. We cannot make somebody hungry, but we can create conditions or situations or stimuli to increase the probability of the person becoming hungry. Similarly, we cannot motivate a person, but we can arrange conditions or stimuli to enhance the probability of the motivation to be stronger.

Factors Affecting Students Motivation

Interest in subject matter Perception of its usefulness General desire to achieve Self-confidence and self-esteem Approval of others Patience and persistence Overcoming challenges Grades

General Strategies

Capitalize on students existing needs. Make students active participants in learning. Ask students to analyze what makes their classes more or less motivating.

Instructors enthusiasm, relevance of material,

organization of the course, appropriate difficulty level of the material, active involvement of students, variety, rapport, use of appropriate, concrete, understandable examples.

Incorporating Instructional Behaviors That Motivates Students

Hold high expectations for your students. Help students set achievable goals for themselves. Tell students what they need to do to succeed in your course. Strengthen students self-motivation. Avoid creating intense competition among students. Be enthusiastic about your subject.

Structuring the Course to Motivate Students

Work from students strengths and interests. When possible, let students have some say in choosing what will be studied. Increase the difficulty of the material as the semester progresses. Vary your teaching methods.

De-emphasize Grades

Emphasize mastery and learning rather than grades. Design tests that encourage the kind of learning you want students to achieve. Avoid using grades as threats.

Motivating Students by Responding to Their Work

Give students feedback as quickly as possible. Reward success. Introduce students to the good work done by their peers. Be specific when giving negative feedbacks. Avoid demeaning comments.

Motivating Students to Do the Reading

Assign the reading at least two sessions before it will be discussed. Assign study questions. Ask students to write a one-word journal or oneword sentence. Ask non-threatening questions about the reading. Give a written assignment to those who have not done the reading. Prepare an exam question on un-discussed reading.