Ideas

To Enhance

Student Motivation

A student’s motivation is a combination of three factors

1. Self Concept—self perception formed through experiences and interpretation of those experiences
2. Expectations and Values—combination of student’s prospects for attaining an outcome and the degree of worth he/she places on that outcome
3. Self Efficacy—student’s judgment of his/her own capability to achieve an outcome

When a student appears to lack motivation, the teacher needs to do some investigation.

• Talk to the student to get his/her perspective on situation
• Find out if there is a lack of understanding of content or a knowledge gap
• Are there emotional issues or problems outside of school?

Teachers will need to spend some time talking to students about their perceived causes of success and failure.  For example, teachers may need to shift students’ perception if they think that their successes and failures are based solely on ability. Ability is highly stable and not under the direct control of the student.  Teachers will need to shift the student’s focus away from ability towards effort, which is under the direct control of the student.

Accommodations to enhance motivation:

• Allow a higher percentage of grade to be determined by effort, productivity and participation
• Help student see the “payoff”—kids need to know that they are on a ladder leading toward lifelong success and that the climb is more than worth the effort
• Break tasks down into smaller, achievable steps and help student plan how much time to spend on each step.  Provide feedback after each step is completed.
• Build on the student’s strengths.  For example, if a student is an excellent artist but has difficulty putting ideas on paper, perhaps they can do an art project with a shorter essay component as opposed to a longer paper.
• Allow for a variety of ways that students can show what they have learned
• Provide re-assurance and assistance when students are learning new strategies or when they are trying to complete a task
• Help student be a positive self-coach.  For instance, “I can do this.  This is tough but I can do it with hard work!”
• Encourage student to self-monitor and to ask for assistance (from peers or the teacher) when facing a challenge.
• Stress that the acquisition of learning strategies is as important as the acquisition of knowledge in the content area.  All aspects of motivation are enhanced when students feel like they can control their own learning because of their development of a personal toolbox of strategies.

Adapted from Allkindsofminds.org 2007