Understanding Motivation Frank De Carlo Timothy Anderson

“Aside from cases of depression, I have never seen an unmotivated adolescent” Pickhardt, 2010

What is the definition of motivation? The act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something (Merriem-Webster, 2013)

So… What exactly is that “something” for us? We are motivating people to actually LEARN things that will shape them, and provide them with the tools that will guide them through life successfully We have it rough…

“Oh wow you teach in the arts that’s so awesome! Must be so cool to have a classroom full of kids that really want to be there!” Umm… No. That’s not true actually But thank you

The Facts about Motivation Identfied by Jon Saphier (2008) as one of the four domains of teaching Identified by teachers, and researchers as one of the most important factors in student achievement Motivation can be identified as a learned skill According to the Education Week Research Center, there is a considerable engagement gap in our country Also according to EWRC, 4 in 10 teachers agree that their students are highly motivated and engaged

Types of Motivation Intrinsic motivation – Self driven – Maturity – Creates long term retention (Graham & Hudley, 2007) Extrinsic motivation – External influences – Rewards – Success – Praise – Empowerment – Social/peer pressure – Fear/concerns

Intrinsic Inner Drive Shows a high level of maturity Sometimes uncontrollable for a teacher/parent Hobbies Personal characteristics Seeing Value in carrying out goals Self initiative

Reward Systems (Extrinsic) Sticker Boards Educational Contests “Free Day” Movie Day Prizes Bulletin Boards PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Field trips Miscellaneous incentives

Success (Extrinsic, AND Intrinsic) Really comes down to common sense. Experiencing success creates the desire to want that success again. Many times we will go to great lengths to experience that success

Empowerment (Extrinsic) Section Leaders Classroom officers Group leaders Classroom jobs

Fear/Concerns (Extrinsic) Strong disciplinarian Consequences – Bad grade – Won’t get in to college – Won’t get to go on a field trip – My parents will ground me – Loss of points/stickers/etc. – Detention Being intimidated by the teacher

Advantages of Intrinsic Motivation Long Lasting/life long effect Allows for more focus on the subject matter Gives students control over their learning

Disadvantages of Intrinsic Motivation Can be a slow, tedious process Requires deep knowledge of every student Requires more planning and preparation Can be at the mercy of the student’s age and psychological development

Advantages of Extrinsic Motivation Can provide quick and immediate results Requires minimal effort or preparation Can be “universal” among all students Can help promote intrinsic characteristics (Delong & Winter, 2002)

Disadvantages of Extrinsic Motivation Can distract students from what they are actually trying to be motivated to do Very little room for error and inconsistencies Research shows that extrinsic motivators on their own, do not last Research has shown that reward systems in particular, may have a negative affect on learning and retaining information (If you hand in your homework…. If you do well on the test….) Rewards and punishments are constantly modified to a certain degree

The Bottom Line Motivation is only 1 domain out of 4 that is associated with what we do. Motivational tactics are only relevant when matched with instruction, supportive environments, and strong curriculum How you motivate your students is unique to your personality, and your philosophies as an educator. But remember this, we can potentially motivate a student to become the next Charlie Parker, or Jackson Pollock, or Al Pacino, or Michael Jackson. But we can also motivate a student to go throw out a piece of paper….

Thank you! Frank De Carlo Schurz High School Music Teacher

Sources Matt DeLong and Dale Winter, Learning to Teaching and Teaching to Learn Mathematics: Resources for Professional Development, Mathematical Association of America, 2002, page 168. Ken Bain, What the Best College Teachers Do, Harvard University Press, 2004, pages Pickhardt, Carl PhD. Surviving (Your Child's) Adolescence, May 25, 2010.