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Fostering pupils’ motivation towards learning is an essential feature of the
teaching skills involved in establishing a positive classroom climate.
Motivation may be achieved in any of three ways.
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The pupil’s natural
interest intrinsic satisfaction |
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Motivation by the
teacher extrinsic rewards |
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Success in the task
satisfaction and reward |
Points
Arising from Research
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Young people are intrinsically motivated to a high degree; many
elements of the environment constitute challenges for them.
Unfortunately after a number of years in education this intrinsic
motivation is dampened. |
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Intrinsic motivation is more easily undermined than created. |
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Teachers need to be aware of the purpose of any extrinsic methods
that they use for motivating their pupils and have a clear rationale
about how they foster intrinsic motivation. |
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Tasks which best elicit pupil motivation are those seen by pupils to
be challenging, difficult but achievable. |
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Teaching poorly motivated pupils is a major source of stress for
teachers. |
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Role of home and parental encouragement is of major importance in
influencing the level of pupils’ academic motivation. |
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The opportunity to learn from each other in the classroom is
becoming recognised as a viable approach to increase pupil
motivation and learning. |
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Praise to criticism in the ratio of 4:1 will develop a more
welcoming and positive climate for learning. |
Key
Elements of Motivation
Intrinsic motivation
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Involves an interest in the learning task itself and also satisfaction being
gained from task |
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Effective teaching must win the hearts and minds of pupils if the
learning experience is to involve intrinsic motivation, curiosity,
interest and a proper educational engagement useful way of eliciting
pupils’ interest is to pose a question or a problem at the start of
the lesson |
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A task can afford a way of working that is satisfying, such as learning
as part of a group in a social context. Active involvement and co-operation
between pupils fosters enjoyment |
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Project work can act as a very important source of motivation
through the degree of choice and control it offers to pupils in
undertaking the work |
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Select topics that are likely to interest pupils, particularly if
they relate to pupils’ own experiences |
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Offering a choice can also elicit interest |
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Provide pupils with regular feedback concerning how their skills and
competence are developing. Review: Show what you know, understand and can do -
rehearse, practice and memorise |
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Draw their attention to what they can do and understand now compared
with before the course of work began |
Extrinsic motivation (See Toolkit paper on
Praise )
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Teacher praise is a powerful motivator although its effect depends
on skilful use |
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Praise should be linked to pupils’ effort and attainment, conveying
sincere pleasure on the teacher’s part and should be used with
credibility |
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Well judged, consistent, frequent and targeted use of praise that
identifies the individual or group’s specific behaviour or
attributes and celebrates them with positive unconditional language
is very powerful |
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Indicate to pupils the usefulness, relevance and importance of the
topic or activity to their needs |
Expectation for success
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Teacher expectations can influence their behaviour towards pupils in
ways that promote greater progress and produce a ‘self-fulfilling
prophecy’ effect |
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Ensure the tasks are challenging and offer pupils a realistic chance
of success, taking into account their ability and previous learning |
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‘Hook’ what is to be learned to existing experience or knowledge to
aid memory, help assimilate new learning and raise expectations |
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Expectations need to convey that the activities are worthwhile and
of interest |
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Monitor pupils’ progress closely providing quick and supportive
feedback when a pupil has encountered major difficulties |
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High expectations which are too demanding will not foster greater
progress
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Reflection and Discussion
To what
extent does pupil motivation play a part in effective learning?
How might
a teacher’s expectations influence pupils’ efforts to learn?
Do you
make good use of both intrinsic and extrinsic sources of pupil motivation?
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Some Activities Relating To the
Issue of Motivation |
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Key element |
Objective |
Action |
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Some examples and
suggestions |
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Intrinsic motivation |
Provide pupils with regular feedback concerning how their skills and
competence are developing. |
The teacher and/or the pupils reconnect with
the lesson overview and specific objectives and with agreed personal
goals and targets. |
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Extrinsic motivation |
Indicate to pupils the usefulness, relevance and importance of the
topic or activity to their needs. |
Begin with some unconditional positive praise:
‘You did that well’
Then give the constructive educative feedback:
‘This part could be improved if you…’
Finish with unconditional positive praise: ‘I
really enjoyed marking that..’ |
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Expectation for success |
‘Hook’ what is to be learned to existing experience or knowledge to
aid memory, help assimilate new learning and raise expectation. |
Engage pupils in working through what relevance the learning has to
their own lives and realities, own goals and aspirations Connect new learning to prior
experience:
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Selected References

Further Reading
Elliot, S. N. & al (1996) Educational Psychology: Effective Teaching,
Effective Learning, Madison:Brown and Benchmark.
Kyriacou, C. (2001) Effective Teaching in Schools, Nelson Thornes
Kyriacou, C. (1995) Essential Teaching Skills, Stanely Thornes
Smith, A. & Call, N. (1999) The ALPS Approach (Accelerated Learning in
the Primary Schoool),Network Educational Press LTD

Websites
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/library/motivation/
Personal motivation is generally accepted, in the wider world of education,
to be the key to the rate of success and attainment of a pupil.
www.learntolearn.ac.uk
www.acceleratedlearning.co.uk
www.alite.co.uk
www.newhorizons.org
A
publisher specialising in brain-based learning
www.cainelearning.com/
Brain based learning site with good
links
www.21learn.org
The 21st Century
initiative
http://pzweb.harvard.edu/
Official Harvard Project Zero site
www.musica.uci.edu/index.html
Music and learning
www.brainstore.com
Eric Jensen –link between neuroscience and the
classroom
http://users.stargate.net/~cokids/teacher.html
Early years and brain based learning
www.cdipage.com
The Child Development Institute
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