Motivation is one of the most critical factors in student learning. If your students aren’t motivated to learn, it won’t matter how informative and engaging your lessons are. Disengaged students are at risk of spending more time pushing pencils around and watching the clock than listening to the curriculum.
Fortunately, once you know the factors that affect student motivation, you can help your students find their inspiration and become successful learners.
Family environment
A student’s family life plays a significant role in their motivation. If a student’s parents support their education and create a home environment that values learning, the student is more likely to do well.
That’s not to say that students with troubled family environments can’t be motivated to learn. Many kids have other motivations outside their family. However, it is important to acknowledge that teachers often have to overcome difficult family situations to motivate their students in the classroom.
Classroom environment
While many teachers don’t give much thought to how they decorate and arrange their classroom, the physical environment of a school plays a significant role in student motivation. You can make your classroom conducive to learning by arranging seating in a way that encourages collaboration.
Environmentally-friendly posters and decorations from providers like Sproutbrite can support student motivation with inspirational messaging or helpful reminders. Next time you find yourself staring at a blank wall in your classroom, consider picking up some banners and other fanfare to spruce things up a bit.
Teacher and peer relationships
What type of rapport do you have with your students? If you can connect with your students and show them that you care, they’ll be much more motivated to do the learning activities you need them to complete.
Student-to-student relationships are also vital to motivation. If students don’t feel at ease around their peers, they’ll have trouble learning.
School system
Some students are victims of the school system. Due to various circumstances, like prejudices or negative assumptions, these kids have had trouble succeeding in the system. These systemic issues set students up for failure instead of success.
These students often feel beaten down by the system. It can be hard to conjure motivation when you feel like your efforts are in vain, so take extra time to encourage these students and recognize their achievements.
Classroom culture
Classroom culture goes a long way in motivating students. As a teacher, you set the tone for your classroom. You can create a culture that encourages students to learn and grow with the lessons you make and the way you conduct your class.
Personal goals
A student’s personal goals are critical to their overall motivation. Some kids are naturally driven to succeed and need little extrinsic motivation.
Most kids do have some hopes for their future. You may need to help children understand that their motivation can help them realize these hopes.
Parting words
When students are motivated, they can do great things. Driven students can often rise above even the highest expectations when they believe in the importance of learning. As a teacher, you can create lessons and offer virtual social emotional learning activities that students feel are important to their future. This motivates them to learn.
Be sure that you are constantly working to help each student find their motivation. It’s essential to reach all of your students, not just those who seemingly show the most promise.
