People learn best when they are intrinsically motivated. Simply stated, intrinsic motivation means that a student wants to learn. We have examined three things we, as TC staff members, can do that encourages our students to be self-motivated. Now, in this fourth and final discussion about intrinsic motivation, we take a look at being Learner-Based.
To provide an atmosphere that encourages intrinsic motivation we must design our educational systems around the learners and not around the teacher. Learners will show more interest if we customize the lessons for their benefit, their interests, their learning style and their attention span. If our training is teacher centered the student becomes little more than a spectator, with little to no intrinsic motivation.
One of the primary ways we can create a learner based classroom is to allow the students to make choices. When we allow learners to make choices, we show them a measure of respect. And they feel a sense of ownership in their learning. In addition, they learn more.
Many researchers have documented the educational value in granting elements of choice in students. Pittsburgh second-graders completed more learning tasks in less time when they were allowed to choose which tasks they would work on at any given time.1
Two groups of college students were followed in New York. The first group was assigned a problem to work. The second group was given the chance to pick a problem among several choices. The second group showed much more interest and involvement.2
Another benefit is that research has also shown that learner-based education reduces the number of discipline problems. Since they’re intrinsically motivated they’re less apt to cause problems.
When the student becomes the center and not the teacher, the result is increased motivation, learning and achievement. Becoming creative with lesson plans to allow students planning may take thought and planning and it may take you, the teacher, stepping outside your comfort zone. But, I believe, the fruit will be well worth it.
So here are the 4 characteristics for creating an atmosphere that encourages intrinsic motivation:
Just keepin’ it REAL!
THINK ABOUT IT –
- What choices can you allow your student so to make in the classroom and even in the program?
- As you create your classroom lesson plans consider what creative choices you can allow your students to make.
- As you allow them choices, observe if there is an increase in their interest and involvement.
*Taken and adapted from The Dirt on Learning by Thom and Joani Schultz.
1 Margaret C. Wang and Billie Stiles, “An Investigation of Children’s Concept of Self-Responsibility for Their School Learning”
2 Zucherman, Miron et al., “On the Importance of Self-Determination for Intrinsically-Motivated Behavior”
