Motivation! Factors that can influence learning 20 September 2007

Motivation! What factors influence motivation? Student motivation (M. Hunter) What motivates you to learn? What motivates your students? The classroom environment Applications to teaching Scenarios

Motivation! –Student Motivation (M. Hunter) Variables under teacher’s control Most variables work together and not in isolation Situational –Learner’s degree of concern/tension »How much effort do they have to put in to relieve the tension of the situation? –Feeling tone (positive, negative, or neutral) »How does the learner perceive the situation? Task Oriented –Student interest level »What topics, teaching methods are most effective? –Feelings of success/Difficulty of the task »Is the task/topic too complicated for this age group? – Knowledge of results/Feedback »Do the students know how they are doing? –Relation to an internalized goal (intrinsic/extrinsic) »Why are the students completing this task?

Motivation! What motivates you to want to learn? What motivates your students to want to learn?

Motivation! Sass (1989) found when surveying students: –Instructor's enthusiasm –Relevance of the material –Organization of the class –Appropriate difficulty level of the material –Active involvement of students –Variety –Rapport between teacher and students –Use of appropriate, concrete, and understandable examples

Motivation! The Classroom Environment Maslow (physical, safety, emotional … learning/understanding) The “invisible suitcase” Rapport building Making learning personal & relevant Feelings of ownership in learning Instructional variety & lesson sequencing Learning styles Grabber/“Hook”

Motivation! Student Motivation (M. Hunter, 1967) Variables under teacher’s control, which work together & not in isolation SITUATIONAL –Learner’s degree of concern/tension »How much effort do they have to put in to relieve the tension of the situation? –Feeling tone (positive, negative, or neutral) »How does the learner perceive the situation?

Motivation! TASK ORIENTED Student interest level Feelings of success/Difficulty of task Knowledge of Results/Feedback Relation to an internalized goal (intrinsic/extrinsic)

Motivation! Scenarios: What would you do? 1) You are required to teach a unit on insects to seventh graders. What might you do to pique their interest?

Motivation! Scenarios: What would you do? 2) You are required to teach a unit on electricity. This topic isn’t very interesting to you. What might you do to help motivate your students?

Motivation! Scenarios: What would you do? Content Areas: You are required to teach a unit on …. Earth & Space Science – rocks & minerals Life Science – cells Physical Science - forces What might you do to help motivate your students and get them interested?

Motivation! From your education, what experiences can you think of for each of the following motivational factors? –Relevance of the material –Organization of the course –Appropriate difficulty level of the material –Active involvement of students –Variety –Rapport between teacher and students –Use of appropriate, concrete, and understandable examples

Motivation! Maslow (physical, safety, emotional … learning/understanding) The “invisible suitcase” Rapport building Making learning personal & relevant Feelings of ownership in learning Instructional variety & lesson sequencing Learning styles Grabber/“Hook”

Motivation! Thoughts … Questions???