Thoughts of an Anonymous Beginning Agriculture Teacher In today’s educational system, the most challenging aspect seems to be motivating students to desire learning.... The second most difficult obstacle, in my opinion, is discipline management.... Strong yet fair rules and consequences are a must. Discipline must start on day one. And last, but not least, is the challenge of teaching the increasing number of culturally diverse students.

Developing and Maintaining Student Interest

Inherent to one’s Interest for learning is one’s Motivation for learning.

Motivation A mood or desire that “makes” a person do something rather than not The reason(s) for doing anything

What do you think motivates students to do their very best? 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

So, people are subject to different types of motivation depending on the situation, the circumstances, and the individuals involved.

Types of motivation can be classified as... Extrinsic – originating from external (outside) forces Intrinsic – originating from internal (inside) forces

Frequently, extrinsic motivators (forces) include... Rewards Punishments

Extrinsic Motivation Extrinsic motivators are not necessarily “bad” – depending on how they are used or misused But their effect tends to diminish over time and with the frequency of use

Teacher behaviors that can help to extrinsically motivate students... (Adapted from W. Huitt, 2001) Provide clear expectations Give corrective feedback Make rewards available Provide valuable rewards

Intrinsic Motivation Originates from within the individual It is a “felt need”

Intrinsic Motivation I do this because it is what I want to do. Not because it is what you want me to do

Intrinsic Motivation... Has much greater potential for creating sustained (lasting) behaviors than does extrinsic motivation It is the essence of Delayed Gratification: the ability to defer immediate pleasure or reward for long term gain or accomplishment

Teacher behaviors that can help students to become intrinsically motivated... (Adapted from W. Huitt, 2001) Explain or show why learning a particular content or skill is important Create and maintain a climate of curiosity Provide a variety of activities and sensory stimulations Provide games and simulations Set goals for learning

Teacher behaviors that can help students to become intrinsically motivated (Adapted from W. Huitt, 2001) Relate learning to student needs Help students plan ahead and look toward the future

Needs Individuals have “unfelt” needs as well. This may be especially true for adolescents.

Unfelt Needs So, it is also very important that teachers help students to understand what their unfelt needs may be, for example... The need to prepare for a future career or job The need to obey rules and to follow procedures The need to avoid or to reduce risky behaviors (health or life threatening) The need to save money

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

If experience is the best teacher, mine has been the following: If you will try to reach students through the Affective domain, that is, make a consistent and honest attempt to understand and appreciate their values, attitudes, interests, and beliefs Eventually, most students will allow you to assist them in the Cognitive domain, that is, help them to acquire valuable knowledge, skills, and abilities

Some Important Principles of Learning from the Student’s Perspective (Dodd, 1995) Learning is personal and idiosyncratic, e.g., there are many ways to “understand” and to “misunderstand” Every student behavior (or misbehavior) is a way of communicating Assumptions on the part of the teacher are sometimes wrong