Practice Thirteen – Tips for Motivating Learners

Tips for Motivating Learners

Motivation is a key factor in improving learner’s effort. Relationships and frequent feedback are essential elements in creating a positive learning environment. The following suggestions can also increase learners’ efforts to work hard, take learning risks, and to desire success.

Expectation #7 “ We will encourage each other to do our best.” (Poster)

1. Reflect clear expectations and consistent standards.
   1. Use the 8 Expectations for Living as a standard of daily conduct and effort.
   2. Be consistent – calm and assertive demeanor, prepared, and focused on the cultural and academic outcomes.
   3. Check your level of motivation, It is contagious.
2. Have clearly defined objectives.
   1. Be prepared with a vision and goal for the learning.
   2. Track learners’ efforts and progress, reduce frustrations by use of posted goals/objectives and product requirements (i.e. rubrics, etc.).
   3. Present lesson withenthusiasm and curiosity.
   4. Aid learners in setting learning goals and evaluating their progress.
3. Create a threat-free environment. (Practice Six)
   1. Reduce clutter in the working environment; less is more.
   2. Provide space for individual, group, and pair learning.
   3. Offer organizers and written directions for those who need it.
   4. Make resources available.
4. Build a strong support system.
   1. Use Cooperative Learning, pairs, teams, etc. to promote social learning. and to develop a sense of connectedness
   2. Offer frequent feedback as to progress and effort of all learners.
   3. Clarify roles and goals within each learning segment.
5. Help learners to develop “a sense of control”
   1. Allow learners input in determining the scope and sequence of the learning.
   2. Provide opportunities for learners to supply authentic learning products.
   3. Offer learners opportunities to teach what they know.
6. Balance routine and fun.
   1. Engage learners’ interests and skills.
   2. Begin with structured learning and then open the door for exploration.
   3. Aid learners in setting challenges by goal-setting.
7. Celebrate efforts and successes.
   1. Encourage efforts and successes throughout the learning.
   2. Celebrate group successes and goals reached to reinforce the reason for the lesson.
   3. Allow learner the opportunity to direct the celebrations.