Motivation refers to the thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that encompass a student’s drive to apply themselves to learning, and is related to engagement, which describes the observable behaviours that arise from that drive.
Motivation is what makes a person move toward a goal. It is common in education to distinguish between intrinsic motivation (being motivated by the task itself and its perceived value), and extrinsic motivation (being motivated by external factors, such as rewards or the threat of punishment). However, this distinction can be an oversimplification, and it is more helpful to focus on the factors that enhance students’ motivation. It is also often assumed that motivation causes learning, but in fact motivation is just as often the outcome of learning, as students are motivated by their own success in mastering new learning.
There is a great deal of research which demonstrates strong links between levels of motivation in students and their learning outcomes. Motivation is positively correlated with academic achievement, positive behaviour, and factors such as wellbeing, self-esteem, and a sense of purpose. Positive motivation and engagement support academic progress and outcomes, but are also a valuable end in themselves.
There is a considerable body of research evidence on motivation in education. Much of the psychological research is in the form of lab-based quantitative studies. However, there have been a growing number of studies recently that have studied motivation in the school context. Within these studies, there also is a growing evidence base identifying the factors, including practical steps teachers can take, that support students’ motivation in school. Self-determination theory summarises the key factors that research has shown to contribute to student motivation: autonomy (a sense of control and choice), belonging (a sense of connectedness), and competence (a sense of self-efficacy).
One of the most important factors influencing student motivation is the relationship they have with their teachers, and positive teacher-student relationships serve to boost student motivation. It is also important to keep a focus on motivating students in relation to what is to be learned, rather than on trying to engage students’ interest with fun but potentially distracting activities. Teachers can also attend to the factors of self-determination theory by:
Providing opportunities for student autonomy and choice
Enhancing students’ sense of membership of the class and building strong connections with teachers, peers, and the school
Connecting learning with students’ goals, values, and identities
Designing learning tasks with an appropriate level of challenge, to develop students’ self-efficacy and sense of competence
Supporting students to set appropriate goals, and providing feedback to help them track their progress towards achieving those goals
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. SETTINGSACCEPT
cookies policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.