As much as we have the best books, projects and materials in the world, that will not be enough to get students interested in learning and working hard if they are not motivated.
For this reason, from the Teach Tought blog they present 21 ideas to improve motivation and we translate it to make it available to everyone.
Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in the success of students in all stages of their education, and teachers play an important role in providing and encouraging that motivation. Obviously, this is much easier said than done, as all students find motivation in different ways and it takes time and a lot of effort to learn to enthuse a class full of children, work hard and seek excellence.
Even the best-intentioned and well-educated teachers sometimes lack the ability to keep their students on track. Whether you are a new teacher or an experienced teacher, try using these methods to motivate your students and encourage them to develop their potential.
Here the list of ideas:
1. Give your students a sense of control
While a teacher’s guidance is important for students to stay on target and motivated, allowing them to choose and control a bit of what happens in class is one of the best ways to keep them engaged. For example, allowing them to choose the type of task to do or what problems to work on can give them a sense of control that can motivate them to do more.
2. Define the objectives
It can be frustrating for students to complete an assignment or behave appropriately in class if there are no clearly defined goals. Students want and need to know what is expected of them to stay motivated. At the beginning of the year, set clear goals, rules, and expectations so there is no confusion and students have goals to work towards.
3. Create a threat-free environment
While students need to understand that there are consequences to their actions, positive reinforcement is much more motivating. When teachers create a safe and supportive environment, stating that they believe in their students’ abilities rather than describing the consequences of not doing a certain thing, students will meet the expectations that the adults around them communicate to them, so focus on what you can, not what you can’t.
4. Change the scenery
A class is a great place to learn, but sitting at a desk day to day can make school boring for some students. To renew interest, give your students a chance to leave the classroom. Do fieldwork, invite speakers, or just take them to the library for some research. The brain loves novelties and a new setting may be what your students need to stay motivated to learn.
5. Offer varied experiences
Not all students will respond to assignments in the same way. For some, it will be easier to do those that involve turning in some work. Others will love to read books or work in groups. To keep all of your students motivated, mix up assignments so that those with different preferences can focus on what they like best. Doing this will help students stay engaged and pay attention.
6. Use positive competition
Competition in class is not always a bad thing, and in some cases it can motivate students to strive and seek excellence. Work to create a friendly and competitive spirit in your class, perhaps through group games related to the material or other opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge.
7. Offer rewards
Everyone likes to receive rewards and offering your students the chance to earn them is a great source of motivation. Things like watching movies, sharing a pizza, or something as simple as a sticker on a paper can make your students work harder and strive to achieve them. Consider the personality and needs of your students to determine appropriate rewards for your class.
8. Give responsibilities to your students
Assigning your students class assignments is a great way to build community and motivate them. Most will see jobs as a privilege rather than a burden and will work hard to make sure they are meeting expectations. It can also be helpful to allow students to take turns leading activities or helping each one feel important and valued.
9. Let them work together
While not all students will be enthusiastic about working in groups, many will find it fun to try to solve problems, do experiments, and work on projects with other students. Social interaction can excite them, and students can motivate each other to reach a goal. However, teachers need to ensure that the groups are balanced and fair, so that some students are not working harder than others.
10. Praise them when they deserve it
There is no other form of motivation that works better than encouragement. Even as adults, we need recognition and praise, and students of all ages are no exception. Teachers can motivate their students by rewarding success publicly, praising a job well done, and sharing exemplary work.
11. Encourage self-reflection
Most kids want to succeed, they just need to figure out what they have to do to get there. One way to motivate your students is to take them deep introspection and determine their own strengths and weaknesses. Students tend to be more motivated by creating this type of self-criticism than hearing it from a teacher, as it makes them feel in charge of creating their own goals and objectives.
12. Get excited
One of the best ways to see your students motivated is to share your enthusiasm. When you are excited about teaching, they will be that much more excited about learning. It’s that easy.
13. Get to know your students
Knowing your students is much more than memorizing their names. Students need to know that the teacher genuinely cares about them and their success. When students feel appreciated, this creates a safe learning environment and motivates them to work harder, as they will seek compliments and good feedback from someone they feel knows and respects them as individuals.
14. Connect with their interests
Knowing your students will bring you other benefits, such as allowing you to relate class material to things that they are interested in or have experienced. Teachers can use that interest to make things more interesting for students, keeping them motivated for longer.
15. Help students find their intrinsic motivation
It can be great to help your students motivate themselves, but at the end of the day they need to be able to generate their own motivation. Helping students find their own reasons for doing classwork and working hard, whether it’s because they find the material interesting, want to go to college, or just love learning, is one of the most powerful gifts you can give them.
16. Manage your anxiety
Some students are very anxious about failing or not doing work properly. For these students, teachers may find that they are so motivated to learn that struggling with a subject is not the end of the world. Offer support no matter what the end result is, and make sure students aren’t so overwhelmed by expectations.
17. Set high but achievable goals
If you are not pushing your students to do more than the minimum, most will not seek it out on their own. Students like to feel challenged and will work towards high expectations as long as they believe those goals are within reach, so don’t be afraid to push them to get more of them.
18. Provides feedback and offers room for improvement
Students who struggle with class work can become frustrated and lose motivation. In this situation, it is critical that teachers help students learn exactly where they went wrong and how they can improve next time. Finding a method to get where students want to be can help keep them motivated to work hard.
19. Track progress
It can be difficult for your students to see how far they have come, especially with subjects that are difficult for them. Follow-up can be useful in class, not only for teachers but also for students. Teachers can use this as a way to motivate students, allowing them to visually appreciate how much they have learned and improved during the year.
20. Make things fun
Not all class work needs to be a game or fun time, but students who see school as a place where they can have fun will be more motivated to pay attention and do the work that is required of them than those who do. as an obligation. Adding fun to activities at school can help students who are struggling to stay engaged and make class a more student-friendly place.
21. Provide opportunities for success
Students, even the best, can become frustrated and unmotivated when they feel like they are struggling or do not get the recognition that other students do. Make sure everyone has a chance to play their strengths and feel included and valued. This can make a big difference in your motivation.
Original article by Club Ediba: club.ediba.com
