The effects of motivation on learning have been studied for many years. However
there is no unifying motivational theory or model in which to organize and build
motivational skills in the classroom. In fact there are a significant number of well
researched ideas and findings that can be applied to learning situations according to motivational principles. Nevertheless keeping students interested in school and motivating them to succeed are challenges that present themselves year after year to even the most experienced teachers.
Most psychologists concerned with learning and education use the word motivation to describe those processes that can a) arouse and instigate behaviour, b)give direction or purpose to behaviour, c)continue to allow behaviour to persist, d)lead to choosing or preferring a particular task (Wlodskowski,1985).
Extensive research on motivation reflects that it has a direct impact on teaching and learning; however there is little evidence of its impact on reading. Nevertheless educators believe that motivation plays a major role in reading development and achievement.
According to Edmunds and Bauserman (2006), teachers should use five approaches to increase students’ desire to read: self selection (giving the students the opportunity to choose what they want to read), attention to characteristics to books, personal interests, access to books and active involvement of others.
Both narrative and expository texts are important in stimulating students’
interest in reading. Thus teachers should expose students to a variety of reading material. Additionally parents and teachers are a major influence in motivating children to read; by recommending books, reading aloud and engaging in discussion, adults are able to encourage children to read.
Hi Kavita,
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited your blog, I was motivated to read on because of the blog layout. It is very attractive, interesting and pleasing to the audience senses. We also need to provide books and use strategies that would do the same for our students when planning our lessons. Excellent blog page design coming from a novice like myself.
Hello Kavita,
ReplyDeleteYour choice of topic, motivation: holds special interest for me, so I was happy when I saw it featured here in your blog. The experts all agree that motivation is essential for getting students to remain in school and learn. I like to think that we as teachers should always have motivation at the back of our minds in every interaction with students.
I believe that extrinsic motivation is a good way to start, but every effort to develop intrinsic motivation should be tried. I always take advantage of student's success in tests or anything else, to guide them to examine the good feeling they get from success. When they can identify the emotion, I talk to them about how they can continue to experience this more and more. In this way I am able to build in them the value of intrinsic motivation.
As you know, motivation is indeed the key to student success, in reading and everything else, and that is why we should plan and execute all lessons with motivation as a key component.
I know for certain you are a good motivator. Thank you for an interesting blog
Kavita,
ReplyDeleteThe choice of topic, "Motivation" is appropriate and relevant in the context of today's education system and by extension, the society. The various theories espoused by the learned theorists all stress the point that individuals will perform at their best as long as they are motivated to do so.
I believe that while students may be motivated extrinsically , the ultimate goal must be intrinsic motivation. In this way ,there will be that greater satisfaction of self, and individuals will be further spurred on to perform.