How Teachers Can Motivate Their Students

The ability to motivate students is critical for teachers and student success. An unmotivated classroom leads to poor academic performance, discipline problems, and frustrated students and teachers. As teachers, there are several key techniques we can utilize to boost student motivation.

Set Clear Goals

Setting clear learning goals is essential for helping students stay motivated. When students understand the purpose behind an assignment or lesson, they are more likely to stay focused. As a teacher, outline the objectives for each lesson and frequently remind students throughout the class period about the goals. Having visible daily goals posted on the board keeps students aware of what they are working towards. Breaking down larger assignments into achievable steps is also invaluable for helping students feel capable of progress. With concrete goals set, students will be motivated to succeed.

Make Content Relatable

For students to feel motivated, they need to grasp the relevance of what they are learning. When the content feels disconnected from their lives or interests, engagement plummets. As an instructor, actively think about real-world applications for the material and ways the knowledge could be meaningful to your specific students. Use relatable examples and analogies, incorporate current events and cultural references, and facilitate discussions prompting students to make personal connections. Catering the curriculum to your learners’ lives substantially improves motivation to learn.  

Provide Choice & Autonomy

Allowing appropriate autonomy and choice is hugely motivating for students. When students feel imposed upon, resistance and disengagement often occur. Seek out opportunities to provide structured choice – options within set parameters. For example, allow students to select paper topics or books to read, give choices between several assignment options, or enable students to have input regarding due dates or group configurations. Embrace student voices by frequently eliciting their perspectives and feedback. Students will be far more motivated when they feel empowered rather than controlled.

Use Engaging Instructional Approaches

Both the content itself and the instructional formats used, sway student motivation. Lecturing for the entire class period will dampen almost any learner’s enthusiasm. Utilize a variety of educational approaches to pique curiosity and excitement to learn. Facilitate frequent hands-on learning through labs, experiments, building activities or manipulatives. Incorporate multimedia, technology, games, simulations and interactive platforms. Develop thought-provoking class discussions, debates and Socratic seminars. Let creativity and student collaboration shine through project-based learning. When material is presented dynamically, students actively engage rather than tuning out. 

Offer Recognition & Rewards

External reinforcements can provide meaningful motivation boosts. Offering verbal praise and written feedback highlighting specific student strengths taps into satisfaction from a job well done. Displaying high-quality work builds pride, while motivating others to achieve the same. Incentive programs with prizes, points, special activities or privileges given for accomplishments and good behavior can be implemented. Just be sure incentives align directly with the behaviors you want to promote. Sparking healthy competition by tracking progress also taps into our innate drive to succeed. With positive reinforcement and rewards, student motivation is fueled.

Final Thoughts

Consider the benefits of continuing education for teachers, such as an online literature certificate that helps teachers develop the minds of students, so they can see beyond the words in a book. Courses like this will help you plan lessons that inspire your students. 

Teaching is a job where you have the opportunity to make a difference in a lot of lives. Are you up for the challenge?