Whether a novice teacher, or an expert, motivational ideas can add spice to classroom instruction and help motivate students. This article offers teaching tips to motivate students desire to find knowledge and pursue their education.

The desire to learn or ready to learn. These catchphrases encompass the challenge teachers face in motivating their students. Whether a novice teacher, or an expert, motivational ideas can add spice to classroom instruction. The following motivational tips can help teachers fire children's desire to find knowledge.

First prepare the environment for learning. This can include educational paraphernalia and decoration, equipment and technology, and in some cases music or calming sounds. Make sure the environment is positive and remove anything that promotes failure or fear.

Once the environment is prepared, teachers should prepare their lessons and their manner of approach. Teachers should be inviting, yet scheduled in their teaching methods. Organization is a key to help motivate students. Incentives can go a long way in rewarding the children for their participation and efforts. However incentives should be used sparingly as they can promote a false hunger for learning that fades when the incentives disappear. Other tips include: 

  • Setting goals and giving regular feedback can help direct the student. 
  • Approval motivates, as does comparison. However both of these can lead to conformity and competition, which can have negative outcomes. 
  • Finally, every child is different and more often than not, a combination of motivational tools throughout their educational career will produce successful learning.

Also remember that any learning requires an internal change in beliefs and behavior and can cause anxiety. Make sure not to set unrealistic goals and be watchful for signs of high anxiety.

Student interaction itself can be the catalyst for successful motivation. Pairing up students or having them work in groups can meet goals quicker than teacher-student interaction. Keep the students attention by employing the following ideas:

  • Change the style or approach every now and again to mix things up. 
  • Use student participation in new ways, such as role-playing, or group reporting. 
  • Invite outside sources to help such as parent volunteers who can teach certain skills.

Finally the teacher can monitor the student's ability to learn by incorporating a set communication pattern. Have regular feedback sessions where you can discuss any learning problems and concerns. At these sessions:

  • Pinpoint areas of improvement and make sure the student understands exactly what is expected. · Outline the students' responsibilities in class and their assignments. 
  • Go over recent learning patterns and show the natural consequences of having learned or not learned a certain subject. 
  • Provide reinforcement and end the session on a positive note.

Remember that success is not guaranteed and in any classroom failure will be commonplace. Learn from the failures and help the students learn to accept their failures and turn them into success. These tips and techniques can help teachers meet their goal of promoting a love of learning and sustained motivation within their classrooms.

Sources:

  1. dean.usma.edu/cte/tip5.htm
  2. honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/motivate.htm