My intrinsic motivator in the classroom is sharing my knowledge and watching my students grow and seeing the knowledge they have developed from day one to the day the graduate.
My extrinsic motivator is on graduation day. Sharing in the joy with my students and their families of what they have accomplished and who they have become. This is the reason why I am an instructor and it motivates me to continue changing the lives of future students.
I agree I have been teaching nursing students for 13 years. Fist you need to be passionate for what your teaching, this allows you to motivate yourself and your students. By being passionate you can create many various opportunities and learning experiences for your students.
Extrinisically I witness the students excitement for being able to accomplish a skill I have taught in many different ways for all to accomplish.
Mariann U
Oh, I agree, absolutely. It's just always more, shall I say, challenging for me to articulate extrinsic benefits, I guess. I do certainly respect all points of view on this issue.
Rita, we all gain motivations from both Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors. The purpose of this discussion thread is for all of us to bring forward our thoughts concerning both types. Intrinsic motivations tend to be deeper rooted and can fulfill our funnels with respect to true fulfillment but for some the Extrinsic provide that level of fulfillment. At the end of the day, it is all about your students and how well they achieve the learning outcomes. If you students learn from you, graduate, and become productive members of society then whatever you are doing is working well. : - )
James Jackson
I enjoy my work as an instructor and have always derived intrinsic motivation from that--I like what I do and am happy doing what I do each day. Oh, yes, I have my moments when I'm tired or distracted... still, I love being in the classroom. I like it when students do will with their work and enjoy our time together.
I think perhaps the greatest extrinsic motivation for me (and I know this sounds idealistic) is when a students give me that "pat on the back"--when someone says, "I get this now!" or "I'm really proud of this paper I wrote--I never thought I'd be glad to write a paper!" or "That discussion was really thought-provoking." Perhaps I should care more about the extras of doing a good job--recognition, awards, and so on, but on some level I've always recognized that intrinsic motivation takes one much further than extrinsic motivation (not that there's anything wrong with extrinsic benefits, but I tend not to rely on them to motivate me).
I'm intrinsically motivated by my desire to make an impact on this world through how I live my life and perform in my career.
I'm extrinsically motivated by salary and positive feedback and recognition by my management.
What motivaes me intrinsically is that students always want to be involved when I tell them about all the campus activities I am involved in. I am extrisically motivated when students live up to their potentials.
Intrinsically I love to learn so that motivates me to learn more about the subject I teach.Having my students say thank you and how much I helped them by believing in them. Extrinsically it would have to be the benefits of teaching such as tuition benefits to continue my education.
Intrinsically - I am intrinsically motivated by knowing that I am living the purpose for my life which is helping students build successful futures.
Extrinsically - My wife jokes with me about my love language which is words of affirmation. I am motivated by doing a good job and being recognized for that.
Wilfredo, well stated and information I hope others read and fully take into their own motivations. As an educator over the last 20 years I feel I have learned as much from those I have taught as I have shared with them and to this day feel I have much more to learn. Thanks again for your wonderful insight and willingness to share your thoughts.
James Jackson
Tom, what an outstanding example of motivation on the side of the educator. The ability to witness the fruits of our labor is not always evident but when it does take place, I know of nothing more satisfying. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
Intrinsic Motivation: Strong work ethic and wanting to assist others who feel they are unable to be successful. Extrinsic Motivation: seeing the students achieve good grades, enjoy the class, and want to return....all of these are strong motivators to become an excellent instructor.
From am intrinsically standpoint, I feel that by being as much as possible in the know, connected with relationships, to then use to share alongside with classroom material and theories, will create a well diversified experience for the student, which in turn makes me feel that I have done well for them as a hospitality professional and educator.
From an extensic point of view, I do want to also apply similar concepts as I stated under my intrinsically point of view, so I am considered as a top player in my organization, and continue forth as a top choice for my supervisor, to teach more courses.
Marco Albarran
First of all, I like to teach, and teach well. Second I like to teach others and encourage them to learn how to mobilize their own strengths as well as letting them know the basic elements and keys to the material I taught them. So that they can guide themselves and advance through this subject I thought them without my presence in the future. Third being a teacher strengthens my self esteem and the idea of giving back to others the knowledge that my teachers bequeathed me, but with my own experiences and knowledge added.
The extrinsic reasons that motivate me are the wages, the comfort of the place where I teach, the social networking that gives the profession and social recognition that sometimes I get.
I think that in my case all these reasons are closely related and form my own conception of teaching as a social activity that’s very useful and necessary for the development of any civilized society.
One important extrinsic reason to me is to see the students speaking about the topics discussed in class or about the great debates that occurred in the educational workshops held during the course of the subject that I taught. These are outcomes that indirectly stimulate one to prepare well and to design a participatory way of transmitting information.
No problem. Shows one of my concerns about online education. It has its merits, but we all know the potential issues with just using the written word to communicate. Thanks for the response.
Despite what seem to me to be setbacks each quarter in the struggle to get students to advance academically and to retain those who otherwise might "fall through the cracks," there are a few students who let me know that I'm doing something right. For example, I got a letter from one of my students not long ago telling me that I had inspired her to want to teach and go on to advance her college education. This, and others like it, is always a reality check for me that reminds me that I can't control the choices that individuals make. If I give my students the information that they need and guide them in how to use it, as well as making myself available to them individually outside of class, then I have done my job. Those who do succeed, whether fulfilling their associate degree requirements or deciding to go further, inspire me to continue teaching. Those few who let me know in numerous ways that I've done my job make me feel satisfied to be in the right place in my life at this moment.
Bernie, thanks for the clarification and very sorry I misunderstood your message. I totally agree that many in our industry could be doing other things but would feel a large piece of themselves missing if they were not assisting students.
Regards,
James Jackson
I think you misunderstand. Paying the mortgage is the EXTRINSIC. IE. External Reward or punishment. The Intrinic is that I've been a teacher for 25 years and coach and could be retired now, but haven't because I find it my calling.
Bernie, education is a tough gig if your only extrinsic motivator is to pay the mortgage. There are many other jobs that can take care of that for you. Focus on your own goals as becoming a better educator. The outcomes you accomplish in preparation for a lesson plan or keeping up to date on your subject matter can be great extrinsic motivators as well. Your self-talk can go a long way in your attitude about your profession. The work you do to be the best educator you can be keeps your brain fresh and allows you to approach situations with energy and innovative aspirations.
James Jackson
Extrinsic - Gee, if I lose this job I can't pay my mortgage or I do a good job and I'm rewarded with Teacher of the year.
Intrinsic - I love to see the students succeed and become more successful. Every time I hear one is employed I feel good about what I do.
