Motivational+Ideas

Motivational Ideas: In order to foster intrinsic motivation, try to create learning activities that are based on topics that are relevant to your students' lives. Strategies include using local examples, teaching with events in the news, using pop culture technology (iPods, cell phones, YouTube videos) to teach, or connecting the subject with your students' culture, outside interests or social lives. ( [|[Brozo, 2005]] ; McMahon and Kelly, 1996) Students can have increased motivation when they feel some sense of autonomy in the learning process, and that motivation declines when students have no voice in the class structure. Giving your students options can be as simple as letting them pick their lab partners or select from alternate assignments, or as complex as "contract teaching" wherein students can determine their own grading scale, due dates and assignments. [|Kurvink, 1993] [|Reeve and Hyungshim, 2006] (Perkins 2002, [|GSA Abstract] ) Students perform best when the level of difficulty is slightly above their current ability level. If the task is to easy, it promotes boredom and may communicate a message of low expectations or a sense that the teacher believes the student is not capable of better work. A task that is too difficult may be seen as unattainable, may undermine self-efficacy, and may create anxiety. Scaffolding is one instructional technique where the challenge level is gradually raised as students are capable of more complex tasks. [|(Wang and Han)] ( [|more info] ), [|[Margolis and McCabe, 2006]] [|[Adams, 1998]] If students can identify with role models they may be more likely to see the relevance in the subject matter. For example, Weins et al (2003) found that female students were more likely to cite a positive influence with a teacher as a factor for becoming interested in science [|[Wiens et al, 2003]]. In some cases, you can be a role model but it's unlikely that you will connect on that level with everyone in the class due to differences in gender, age and social circles. However there can be many sources of role models, such as invited guest speakers, fellow students or other peers. >
 * Tickets for good behavior
 * Positive notes to parents
 * Making assignments a competition when appropriate
 * Sometimes candy but not often
 * Give frequent, early, positive feedback that supports students' beliefs that they can do well.
 * Ensure opportunities for students' success by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult.
 * Help students find personal meaning and value in the material.
 * Create an atmosphere that is open and positive.
 * Help students feel that they are valued members of a learning
 * ====Make it real====
 * ====Provide choices====
 * ====Balance the challenge====
 * ====Seek role models====