A teacher could have spent lots of time, effort, and fortunes in training to become experts and achieve the relevant certifications. They create curriculum schedules, and lesson plans to meet any appropriate standards set. Furthermore, they have to invest their time in professional development that keeps them well-versed with matters of education. All these, however, may not guarantee a student’s academic success if they are not motivated to strive for success.
Motivation basically refers to that state which rejuvenates learners, directs their activities, and sustains their conduct. This impulse has a crucial role in learning as it helps students take part in the different activities within the curriculum as well as to achieve their purposes. Furthermore, studies indicate that motivation beats IQ in terms of its influence on a student’s performance in mathematics.
While IQ may affect how successfully one acquires knowledge, it mostly works for the basic concepts during the early ages. Later on, study skills and motivation become more crucial in determining the way students grasp knowledge. A motivated student is persistent and invests more effort in their studies. Furthermore, their initiative improves alongside their cognitive processing skills and overall performance.
Factors That Hinder Student Motivation and Their Solutions
A student may lack the incentive to study harder due to the following reasons:
Fear of Failure
Learners may lack the drive to complete their coursework due to the fear of making mistakes. Most of the time, they may be afraid of looking foolish among their siblings, classmates, or peers. For instance, if a student has a learning disability, they may keep distracting their colleagues with excellent humor. Completing assignments, however, may be a hurdle.
Lack of Challenge
It is easy for a learner to get bored with their coursework. Even those who are most gifted may still end up ‘demotivated’ if you use the same teaching methods every day, or if you keep explaining concepts that they already understand. What’s more, students in a less competitive learning environment may lack the drive to work harder. As such, you need to provide stimulating content and offer new challenges to keep them on toes. Even if one is an incredible essay writer, never cease to issue homework to them for practice.
Emotional Issues
If a student is suffering from an emotional problem, then it may not be easy for them to focus in class and grasp new concepts. Some of the problems that may interfere with a learner’s drive may include apprehension, dejection, or distress. Furthermore, others may experience problems at home, and this could prevent them from achieving their academic success. As a teacher, you need to know your students well and offer personal attention. This way, they will have the right mindset for learning.
Lack of Meaning
Sometimes, learners tend to think that the schoolwork they handle every day does not relate to their day to day living. This, particularly, becomes more troubling for those with learning disabilities and may leave them feeling hopeless and demotivated. So what do you do in such a case? How do you reverse this and give them the drive to study? The best approach as a teacher would be to relate the classroom ideas with real-life experiences.
Lack of Appreciation
Students, especially those in lower levels of education, like to be appreciated in whatever they take part in. However, most teachers do not pay attention to this. Furthermore, some may be issuing rewards that are inappropriate to their specific needs. So what do you do to lay the foundation for enthusiasm through appreciation? To beat this, always reward good performance and laud any efforts towards academic success.
Tips On How to Keep Learners More Motivated
Both parents and teachers have a critical role in ensuring students are motivated. Here are some effective tips on how they can change the mindset of learners, rejuvenate them, and maintain their focus:
- Allow the learners some control over whatever it is that they learn and how they do it.
- Relate the coursework to the specific interests of the learners and their day to day lives.
- Provide clear goals that are well-defined and possible to achieve.
- Keep your learners actively involved in different learning activities.
- Give them to chance to shine and enjoy success.
- Break the monotonous learning sessions and get creative with the way you teach.
Even the best-trained and well-intentioned tutors may still fail to keep students on track. A class may get the best lessons or learning material. However, it may still be impossible for students to remain excited about their studies. Without motivation, they will simply lack the incentive to work hard. The tips above, however, will help both teachers and students keep their learners energized and focused.
