Week 3 T2P

If teachers want to put their ideals and pedagogical philosophy of fostering intrinsic motivation into practice in the classroom, then they will need to first evaluate how motivation works for them. For example, motivation can be viewed as the complex interplay between innate drive and external forces. Therefore, a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators may be what is necessary for the diverse needs of students. Students, based off of several social and cultural factors, will have different learning styles. Therefore, teachers will have to use just as varied and differentiated methods to motivate them.

In addition, teachers will need to use participant observation to get to know the students in order to effectively motivate them. They will also need to be adaptable and flexible by experimenting with multiple kinds of motivation so that they can find a good balance between rewards and optimal performance. It is impossible to motivate students if we don't know them--including any emotional issues they may be experiencing. So much of high school education, for instance, is socially-based. By getting to know the whole student (the student as a full, complex human being) then teachers will understand how their EQ may be positively or negatively influencing their motivation in academics.

To transform theory into practice, then: Teachers should make the effort to truly get to know their students, care about their well being, and vary techniques based off of student learning styles and interests. This will inspire intrinsic motivation by fostering student autonomy, competence, and purpose in what they are learning and doing.