Learning a new task, skill or concept can be an exciting and compelling experience. A teacher plays a significant and pivotal role in the learning process and has the unique and rewarding ability to successfully motivate his/her students throughout each class.
Motivate Students to Learn – Make it Relevant
The material being taught in any class has to be relevant to the students attending the class. A teacher needs to find out why a student has signed up for a particular class or determine what each student would like to have accomplished by the end of the class.
- Ask students why they are attending the class and have them write it down on a piece of yellow sticky paper and post it on a flip chart or bulletin board.
- Find out what each student wants to learn and make note of each student’s response. At the start of each week review a few of the responses with the class.
- Let the students know what they will gain from the course, why the information being taught is important and how they can utilize or incorporate the information into their school, work or home life.
- Thoroughly explain course expectations, objectives and requirements for completion.
Students will show more of an interest in a course and remain committed to the learning process when a teacher has taken the time to explain the relevance of the course material and has allowed students to verbalize or write down their goals and the reasons why they chose to sign up for the course.
When students become convinced that that the course is necessary and relevant to their own personal needs they will work diligently to succeed.
Motivate Students to Learn – Provide Positive Feedback
Positive feedback is a powerful tool that encourages a willingness to learn and creates a sense of excitement around the learning process. Positive feedback can occur as a simple word of encouragement, recognition for hard work or a reward for providing correct answers.
- Thank students for their hard work on a particularly tough assignment or project.
- Provide candy to students when they get an answer correct.
- Place positive and encouraging stickers on papers that get a high grade.
- Recognize specific students at the beginning of each class who have performed well, who have had excellent attendance or who have helped others in class.
When providing positive feedback, make it a priority to recognize, encourage or reward a different student each week.
Even the most difficult student can be recognized for something positive at some point in a course. Avoid being accused of favoritism by encouraging all students regularly and finding a reason to recognize each student at some point in the course.
Motivate Students to Learn – Encourage Class Participation
Involving students in class activities, assignments, projects, presentations and group work will encourage students to play an active role in the learning process.
- At the start of each class have a list of topics that will be covered. This involves students in the learning, lets them know how each class is progressing and encourages the class stay on task.
- Keep things interesting and allow for fun in the classroom. Have the class do group presentations, assignments or work activities to build rapport, exchange ideas and facilitate learning.
- Involve students by assigning different tasks each day. One student can take attendance, once can write down class questions (to be reviewed at the end of class) and another can hand out class materials.
Having students involved in the class, working in teams and assisting the teacher can create a sense of ownership and team work.
Motivate Students to Learn – Energy and Enthusiasm
There is nothing more refreshing than an energetic and enthusiastic teacher. When a teacher demonstrates a passion for the subject matter it becomes interesting to everyone in the room.
- Make it a priority to greet students as they arrive for class.
- Let students know why a topic is so exciting or interesting to teach.
- Clip out newspaper articles or clippings that are relevant to the course, photocopy them and hand them out to the class for discussion.
- Smile while teaching, make eye contact with students, ask questions and encourage students to share thoughts and ideas.
- Thank students when they participate in class, answer a question and help out others.
A monotone teacher who does not appear to be interested in the subject matter being taught will not be able to engage the students, create a rapport with the class or encourage learning. Animated and lively teachers with a passion for the subject matter will be far more interesting to the students and will ultimately motivate them throughout the learning process.
Teachers that utilize motivational techniques can propel students to want to learn and create a sense of fun in the classroom.
How to Motivate Students
|
