Motivating Students Motivating Students Encouraging self-motivated, independent learners

Some students seem naturally enthusiastic about learning, but many need or expect their instructors to inspire, challenge, and stimulate them: "Effective learning in the classroom depends on the teacher's ability ... to maintain the interest that brought students to the course in the first place" (Ericksen, Memo to the Faculty, 1978). Whatever level of motivation your students bring to the classroom will be transformed, for better or worse, by what happens in that classroom.

How the Teacher Motivates How the Teacher Motivates the Student the Student

General StrategiesGeneral StrategiesCapitalize on students' existing

needs. Make students active participants

in learning. Ask students to analyze what

makes their classes more or less motivating.

Incorporate Motivational Incorporate Motivational Instructional Behaviors Instructional Behaviors

Hold high but realistic expectations for your students.

Help students set achievable goals for themselves.

Tell students what they need to do to succeed in your course.

Avoid creating intense competition among students.

Be enthusiastic about your subject.

Structure the Course to Structure the Course to Motivate StudentsMotivate 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 GradesDe-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.

Respond to Students’ WorkRespond to Students’ 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

feedback. Avoid demeaning comments. Avoid giving in to students' pleas for

"the answer" to homework problems.

Motivating Students to Do Motivating Students to Do the Readingthe Reading

Assign the reading at least two sessions before it will be discussed.

Assign study questions. Have students turn in brief notes on the day's reading

that they can use during exams. Ask students to write a one-word journal or one-word

sentence. Ask non-threatening questions about the reading. Use class time as a reading period. Prepare an exam question on un-discussed readings. Give a written assignment to those students who

have not done the reading.

In ConclusionIn ConclusionResearch has shown that good everyday teaching practices can do more to counter student apathy than special efforts to attack motivation directly (Ericksen, 1978). Most students respond positively to a well-organized course taught by an enthusiastic instructor who has a genuine interest in students and what they learn. Thus, activities you undertake to promote learning will also enhance students' motivation.