Why are some students so eager to learn and ready to work? Why are others totally uninterested? Ability may account for part of the answer, but another significant factor is motivation.
Students seem to be motivated when their successes are recognised, when they believe they can succeed, when class work seems related to their lives, when the teacher is enthusiastic, when there is something creative or unusual about the approach. You’ll notice other patterns, too. However, we can make it happen; we know that motivation is a secret to success for every student.
Students respond differently to attempts to motivate them. Self-motivated students learn to gradually accept more and more responsibility, to communicate effectively with teachers and parents, and to identify and resolve conflicts. Here arc some ways to encourage self-motivation in students.
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(a) Teach and practice several decision-making and problem- solving skills. Students must see die advantages of being prepared for predictable problems and planning to minimise difficulties whenever possible,
(b) Do not allow students to be negative about them or allow others to bad-mouth them. Such talk must be identified and avoided. Achievers cannot afford to focus on negative thoughts, feelings or attitudes,
(c) Share personal experiences that have led to success. Tell your students stories about how you felt when you were their age. Students can learn self-motivation by learning from odiers’ experiences,
(d) Actively discuss and investigate future careers, qualifications and the merits of various jobs. Students who can connect the process of lifelong learning to future needs can better understand the value of becoming prepared,
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(e) Help students visualise success. Ask them to picture themselves succeeding at things they want to do – acting in the school play, developing an exciting science project, competing for first-chair violin. Help them list, in writing, their long, medium and short-range goals.