Student Motivation Factors
What are some factors that contribute to student motivation?
@gmeers :When a student feels invested in the worlk they will do more in class. Students want to feel that what they are doing in class is usefull in/to their chosen field of study.
Students can be motivated by an enthusiastic and engaging instructor. They also find motivation when there is context and value provided for the relevance of the course material and the importance of the material in helping them attain their goals.
Constructive reinforcement of their progress and activities through the course. Keep them interested in the subject and allow them to interact more for the skills they wish to gain.
Relevancy towards their future is a big motivation. Obtaining training that they will use.
James,
Sometimes when they are worn down going to school they need to be reminded of how far they have come in their learning. Your comment about helping them see they are moving closer to their goals is a good one because when they are reminded they can get ramped back up and finish the course with vigor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students can be motivated by realizing that they are getting closer to their goals. As the student gains knowledge and proficiencies in the subject matter and are recognized for these they become motivated to continue to reach their goals.
A factor that increase student motivation is an promoting an atmosphere of respect,both student to student, and student to faculty. Well prepared, organized learning activities that are relevant to the end objectives of the program keep a student motivated. It is important that we give positive feedback for small milestones in learning a highly technical task. Successful application of new skills in a lab settings helps the student see them selves in their chosen role.
There are many intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to student motivation. Some students are motivated by a good grade, others by potential success at work (a rise or promotion). Some students are mysteriously intrinsically motivated, instructors do not know exactly what motivates these students, but they are driven to succeed. Some students enjoy the status of being a college student. Others the praise from others about contributing to their future in a positive manner. Every student is unique in the factors that motivate them to come school and do the work. It is important for the instructor to determine what motivates a student so that they can incorporate it within the instructional methods to continuously motivate the students.
James,
Great plan for providing support to your students. The results I know are many and varied so you are able to reach your students in ways that will help them to move forward in their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some of the strongest student motivators go back to their reason(s) for going to college. One of the exercises that I do the first day of class focuses on getting to know the students. I have them fill out a survey that asks questions along this lines of: Why did they enroll in college? Why now? What/who motivated them to make the decision to start? What do they already know about the subject? What do they hope to accomplish by completing the class?
I am able to refer to these surveys throughout the course when I see students struggling. I will pull them aside or after class and go over their reasons. I have found that a lot of students want to succeed but they get overwhelmed by all they have going on. I encourage them to reach out to their support networks (family and friends) for help. If this isn't an option for them, I help put them in touch with some partners they can use for classwork.
I think that student motivation can be increased by having an instructor who is passionate about what they are teaching. This engages the students and wants them to learn and be involved.
Judith,
Good way to transfer their success to themselves. They have enrolled in school to learn the essentials of a career area. They need to understand their future is dependent on their self discipline, effort and internal motivation. They will not be able to blame others if they are not successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michael,
These are key motivators because that is why the students are in school. They are preparing to enter or grow in their careers. They need to understand this so they will take their classes and learning seriously.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Student motivation has a lot to do with the profession they have decided to enter in. I tell the students from day one they motivate their future.
Some factors I have found that contribute to student motivation are:
Career Advancement - getting promoted
Starting a new career
Starting their first career
Julie, this is a very good point. Student motivation varies greatly depending on the age and the reasons behind their taking the class specially with non-traditional students.
One thing I have found that works in most cases is to showcase the positive aspects of the student's comments or projects. Making them feel they are contributing to the class motivates them to keep working.
Grant,
I think this type of reflection with your students helps them to see their field in a more diverse way. They start to realize that they soon will be in this field and that it can provide them with both professional and personal satisfaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I talk a lot about what my chosen industry has given me back in life, the challenges it brings and the fulfillment it has given me, most of my students are looking to create a good life for themselves and their families and I talk about how this type of work will give them that life they dram of.
Paul,
Having been a teacher educator for a many years I have seen many different fads come and go in relation to instructional strategies and deliveries. I can appreciate your comments about the fact that the mentors do not prepare lesson plans yet require them of their students. Direct observation as you mention is an excellent way to get an accurate picture of how teachers are doing in their classes. Feedback from these observations really enhance the growth of teachers as well as increase their effectiveness. I also encourage my teachers in training to get feedback from their students throughout the course so they can make adjustments as needed rather than getting feedback from the end of course evaluation. These end of course evaluations serve, in my opinion very little purpose since they are done at the last minute when students are trying to finish up course requirements. The students do not really focus on giving input they just want to be done with the course, yet these end of course evaluations are often the only thing used to determine teacher effectiveness. Truly not an accurate picture by any means.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
