Intrinsic motivation. Does it matter?

 

Learner- motivation is simply the encouragement we give to our Learners to learn,improve and learn better. WHEN LEARNERS are encouraged to learn,there is always a great difference in their approach to learning. 

Taking the role of an effective teacher committed to fostering  effective learning must require learner motivation. 

Some learners come to school unmotivated and they all assemble in our classrooms .Learners unmotivated state can be caused by many factors;broken homes, poverty,  sickness, disability, abuse e.tc.

It is our duty as teachers to inspire them to find their feet again.

How are learners motivated?

Learners can be motivated extrinsically or intrinsically. 

With extrinsic motivation, we talk about external rewards with resources like cash,items and so on.This may not be  the best method because it might shift focus from learning to awards and as well introduce unhealthy competition among learners. 

Intrinsic motivation deals with internal rewards that promote the interest  of  learners  in learning .It guides behaviour. Research has shown that intrinsic motivation can promote autonomy,competence and relatedness .

These three factors are important in learning because with autonomous power, learners take charge of their learning and this helps to boost their competence and the ability to connect with others in an authentic manner.

Wondering  how to motivate learners intrinsically?Here are some tips 

Every teacher must approach his or her learners with hope and trust irrespective of the circumstances at present. This is  because you can only encourage what you have hope in.If you give up on anything, the power to motivate will die.

Approach learners with constructive feedback and not the one that will tear them down.

Use great words like awesome, great,good job  👌, thumbs up and so on .The list  is endless. 

Engage learners with positive none- verbal expression.Body language speaks volume to learners. 

Be patient and consider the following 

Consider the learners  and their learning journey. 

Consider the danger of not deploying intrinsic motivation in your classroom. 

Consider teaching without learner- motivation as an issue and do the needful. 

 Now is  the time to  deploy intrinsic motivation in your teaching to promote effective learning.

 Therefore,I  encourage you to motivate your learners. Give them reward that promotes self determination .

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

Be a teachable teacher

A teachable teacher is a learning teacher It is one of the attitudes that help people to serve with purpose and humility. There is no harm in learning from others. It is a strength rather than a weakness as some may think. A teachable heart is always willing and eager to learn irrespective. A teachable spirit never cares about the status, circle of friends, age, or position. Her goal is to positively learn. The scripture recognized the power of a teachable spirit and the consequences. No wonder Proverbs 13: 18 informed us that; 

 "Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,

 but whoever heeds to correction is honoured”

Think about the reward and the consequences here".

We lose a lot when we refuse to positively learn from others God has placed in our lives.  Do we want to remain valid and in charge of our outdated thoughts and actions? How then can we be lifelong learners when we cannot embrace the beauty of learning? It is cheaper to be willingly teachable than to learn it in a hard way. Many people have lost their jobs, positions, and recognition because they refused to learn from other people. Some have also missed promotions in regard. Of course, no reasonable business or organization will thrive with unteachable workers.

In the context of teaching and learning, this skill is not an exception. Teachers should be teachable and not assume that they know everything. Nobody can and nobody will.

Phill Collins once said – “In learning, you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn”

That is true therefore there is a need to keep an open mind with learners. Listen to them as they share their views and opinions and don’t be quick to shut them down or divert attention. Be willing to engage in constructive deliberations with your learners. Accept constructive criticisms and corrections from them. View learners’ criticisms with the interest of learning at heart. Stay on course and do not divert in the course of being corrected nor should you victimize them. Use your teaching power to learn and serve. Put the power into good use for authentic learning to take place

Trade with humility and let go of pride because it goes before fall. Be teachable and not be myopic about it because you cannot climb the ladder of success without that.

A teacher once punished a student for correcting a misspelt word; The teacher was furious and raging at the learner.’ How dare you’ Do you know how long I’ve been in this profession?, the teacher asked the learner but the learner kept emphasizing the wrong spelling on the board.

What did you learn from the short story?? See you in the comment section

Wondering how to be teachable …. Here are some tips

1. Recognise that no one knows it all so you are not alone in this journey. We are all works in progress

2. Shun pride at all costs so that you and learn-Pride is cancerous. Pride is one of the major reasons people are not teachable.

 3. Learn to listen when others are talking, do not be quick to interrupt even if you know what they are saying. Give them the opportunity.

4. Ask questions, Don’t be too big or shy to do that.  Questioning skill has been a great skill even as far back as Socrates.

5. Develop a learning culture. Do not be a victim of the ‘I have arrived mindset’. Do not arrive yet keep learning. Be a lifelong learner.

6. Accept corrections with positive interest at heart.

7. Embrace constructive criticism. Do not tear your learning walls with hatred.

8 Interact and share your knowledge and experiences with others. Do not be an island

I conclude by saying: For continuous growth and development, maintain a teachable attitude. Keep it on your priority list

                                             Listen to Gregory Chahrozian-

                                      It is not what you teach, It's what kind of Teacher You Are(TEDxAUA)