21 simple ideas to improve student motivation (2023)

through theTeachPersonal Thinking

The best lessons, books and materials in the world will not make students excited about learning and willing to work hard if they are not motivated.

Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in student success at all stages of their education, and teachers can play a crucial role in providing and fostering this motivation in their students. Easier said than done, of course, as all students have different motivations and it takes time and a lot of effort to learn how to inspire a classroom full of kids, learn to work hard and strive to excel.

Even the most well-meaning and educated teachers sometimes lack the necessary skills to keep kids on track. So, whether you are a new or experienced teacher, try these methods to improve student motivation and encourage them to live up to their potential.

1. Give students a sense of control

While teacher guidance is important to keep children engaged and motivated, one of the best ways is to allow students some choice and control over what happens in the classroom to keep them busy. For example, allowing students to choose the type of assignments they will do or the problems they will work on can give them a sense of control that can motivate them to do more.

2. Set clear learning objectives

It can be very frustrating for students to complete an assignment or even behave in class when there are no clearly defined goals. Students want and need to know what is expected of them in order to stay motivated. Set clear goals, rules, and expectations for students at the beginning of the year so there is no confusion and students have goals to work towards.

3. Create a threat-free environment

Although students need to understand that their actions have consequences, positive reinforcement is much more motivating for students than threats. When teachers create a safe and supportive environment for students and reaffirm their belief in a student's abilities, rather than pointing out the consequences of not doing something, students are much more likely to become and stay motivated to do their work. .

At the end of the day, students will meet the expectations communicated by the adults around them, so focus on that.I can, Nochickens.

See too60 non-threatening formative assessment techniques

4. Change your scenery

The classroom is a great place to learn, but sitting at a desk all day can make starting classes a little boring for some students. Give your students the opportunity to step outside the classroom to renew their interest in the subject or simply learning in general. Take field trips, invite speakers, or just head to the library to do some research. The brain loves new things, and a new environment can be just what some students need to stay motivated.

5. Offer varied experiences.

Not all students respond to the lesson in the same way. For some, hands-on experience may be better. Others like to read books silently or work in groups. To keep all students engaged, mix up your classes so students with different preferences can focus on the things they enjoy most. This helps students stay engaged and alert.

6. Use positive competition

Competition in the classroom is not always a bad thing, and in some cases it can motivate students to try harder and work towards excellence. Work to encourage a friendly competitive spirit in your classroom, perhaps through subject-related group games or other opportunities for students to 'show off' their knowledge or skills.

7. Offer bonuses

Everyone loves receiving rewards, and giving students the opportunity to earn them is a great source of motivation. Things like pizza parties, watching movies, or even something as simple as a sticker on a piece of paper can make students work harder and really work towards achieving something. Consider your students' personalities and needs to set appropriate rewards for your class.

8. Give students responsibility

Assigning classroom assignments to students is a great way to build community and give students a sense of motivation. Most students will view classroom assignments as a privilege rather than a burden and will work hard to ensure that they and other students meet expectations. It can also be helpful to allow students to take turns leading or helping with activities so that everyone feels important and valued.

9. Ask students to work together

While not all students will enjoy the opportunity to work in groups, many will enjoy trying to solve problems, conducting experiments, and working on projects with other students. Social interaction can get them excited about things in the classroom and students can motivate each other to achieve a goal. However, teachers must ensure that groups are balanced and fair so that some students do not work harder than others.

10. Praise when you deserve it

Perhaps there is no other form of motivation that works as well as encouragement. Even as adults, we crave recognition and praise, and students of all ages are no exception. Teachers can provide a lot of motivation for students by publicly rewarding achievement, praising good work, and sharing exemplary work.

11. Encourage self-reflection

Most kids want to be successful, they just need help figuring out what they need to do to get there. One way to motivate your students is to have them take a good look at themselves and determine their own strengths and weaknesses. Students are generally more motivated when they create this type of critique of themselves than when a teacher does it for them, as it makes them feel responsible for creating their own goals and objectives. To seeMetacognitive prompts for students to think about their learning.

12. Enthusiasm for exemplary learning!

One of the best ways to motivate your students is to share your enthusiasm. If they are eager to teach, they will be eager to learn much more. As simple as that.

13. Know your students

Getting to know your students is more than just remembering their names. Students need to know that their teacher has a genuine interest in them and cares about them and their success. When students feel valued, it creates a safe learning environment and motivates them to work harder, as they want praise and good feedback from someone they feel knows and respects them as individuals.

14. Capitalize on student interests

Getting to know your students also has a number of other benefits, namely that you can relate lesson materials to things that students are interested in or have experienced. Teachers can use these interests to make things more interesting and accessible to students and keep them engaged longer.

15. Help students find intrinsic motivation

Helping students motivate themselves can be great, but at the end of the day, students need to be able to generate their own motivation. Helping students find their own personal reasons for doing classwork and working hard, whether that's because they find the material interesting, want to go to college, or just love to learn, is one of the most powerful gifts you can give them to improve motivation. of the student.

16. Deal with student anxiety

Some students find the prospect of not being good so daunting that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. For these students, teachers may find that they are more motivated when they learn that struggling with a subject is not the end of the world. Offer support regardless of the end result, and make sure students don't feel so overwhelmed by expectations that they give up.

17. Set high but achievable goals

If you don't push your students to do more than necessary, most won't try to put in the effort. Students enjoy being challenged and will work to meet high expectations as long as they believe these goals are within their reach. So don't be afraid to push students to get more out of them.

18. Provide feedback on learning and offer opportunities for improvement

Students who struggle with classwork can sometimes feel frustrated and drag themselves down, which reduces motivation. In these situations it is important that teachers offer somethingeffective learning feedbackto help students know exactly where they went wrong and how to improve next time. Finding a method to get where students want to go can also help them stay motivated to work hard.

19. Track progress

It can be difficult for students to see how far they've come, especially in subjects they find difficult. Tracking can be useful in the classroom, not just for teachers but also for students. Teachers can use this as a way to improve student motivation by visually seeing how much students are learning and improving throughout the year.

20. fun

Not all classwork has to be play or fun, 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 asked of them than those who see it as a chore. Adding fun activities to your school day can help students who are struggling to stay engaged and make the classroom a much friendlier place for all students.

21. Create success opportunities

Students, even the best ones, can become frustrated and demotivated when they feel that they are struggling or not getting recognition from other students. Make sure all students have opportunities to play to their strengths and to feel included and valued. This can make a big difference and improve student motivation.