Motivating Students for Better Learning

Albert Roy V. Isip

Student disinterest, or a lack of motivation to learn, is a common concern of most teachers. Motivation is an important determiner of learner’[s active involvement and attitude toward learning, both of which facilitate deep mental processing of information..

Students learning and memory are closely tied to motivation. Students will learn what they want to learn and will have a great difficulty learning materials that does not interest them(Mc Keachie, 349). In fact motivation has been called the single most important factor required for learning.

Motivation results from a combination of extrinsic factors, such as grades and intrinsic factors such as the ability to actually use the content being learned.”Extrinsic incentives, work more quickly and the ability to actually use the content being learned.”.Extrinsic “incentives, work more quickly and powerfully, intrinsic interests are slower to motivate new behavior and less certain of being effective but are usually more lasting(Lowman

In order to remain interested in learning, students must feel challenged and must receive feedback on their progress. Giving students an opportunity to choose learning activities increases internal attraction.

Provide opportunities to use newly acquired knowledge or skills for problem solving in a real or simulated setting. Provide intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as reinforcements that will sustain the desired behavior. Maintain consistent standards and consequences for accomplishment.

Helping students become reflective about how they can continue to learn beyond the classroom makes them excellent and well –motivated learners.

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The author is Teacher I at Sitio Mindanao Integrated School