How do we motivate and engage students to learn?
BUILD VOICE AND CHOICE IN THE CLASSROOM
In this Ted Talk, we learn that traditional methods of motivation do not necessarily work. We must offer autonomy and encourage mastery to motivate learners.
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Engaging and motivating students to learn in the classroom is one of the most difficult tasks we face as educators. Yet it is the only way we can encourage students to be successful and in turn increase our success as teachers. There is not an end-all, be-all fix for increasing student engagement and motivation; yet, there are some strategies you can use to encourage active learning.
"What makes a positive learning experience for you?"
Since 1992, Mike Muir, a recognized educational consultant, has asked the same question to his audience of teaching professionals and has developed the following list of trends:
"What makes a positive learning experience for you?"
Since 1992, Mike Muir, a recognized educational consultant, has asked the same question to his audience of teaching professionals and has developed the following list of trends:
- The work was well connected to other ideas and to the real world.
- The content of the learning experience was personally relevant, interesting, useful, or meaningful to the learner.
- The learner had choices, shared authority, control, and responsibility.
- The learning was hands-on and experiential.
- The learner learned from and taught others.
- The learner had the support of a patient, supportive, and nurturing mentor.
- The learning was individualized and although there were standards for the work, the learner could meet them in his or her own way.
- There was a positive aesthetic component to the experience: it was fun or left the learner feeling good.
- The experience helped the learner understand him or herself.
- The learner had success and accomplishment with challenging work.
Why Build Voice and Choice?
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy."
- Abraham Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln
We often think it is easier to teach if we are in complete control of the learning environment; yet control comes with a potential cost for students- fear of failure, embarrassment, and, in general, feeling their voices do not matter. On the other hand, authentic learning experiences can often lead to less apathy, misbehavior, and disconnection from the learning environment.
Voice and choice gives students a chance to be engaged in the learning through reflection, probing questions, and exploring topics of interest that relate to your discipline. This leads to a higher-level of student motivation and engagement, which we all know makes your life a bit easier.
Voice and choice gives students a chance to be engaged in the learning through reflection, probing questions, and exploring topics of interest that relate to your discipline. This leads to a higher-level of student motivation and engagement, which we all know makes your life a bit easier.