Education Tools

Stacy Young

Edu-354, Child Development; 

Prenatal to Adolescence

Dr. K. Brotherton

October 27, 2024

 Basic Human Needs for Students to Develop Motivation

        Those three fundamental human needs that must be fulfilled for students to cultivate motivation are autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In the classroom, students experience a sense of competence when they have some control over how they complete their tasks. They need to feel capable and efficient in their actions. Additionally, it's important for students to feel connected to and supported by their peers, and teachers. When these needs are unmet, students may lack motivation (Towler, 2019). When students do not feel motivated, they may need extrinsic rewards as motivation to learn.  

The Effects of Socioculture and Cognitive Factors on Student Motivation

 and Engagement in the Classroom

        Sociocultural elements, including students' backgrounds, family dynamics, and friendships, along with cognitve aspects This lack of connection to the curriculum could result in lower levels of engagement. (Parrish, 2022). Social dynamics in a classroom can affect a students willingness to participate or ask questions like self-efficacy, learning preferences, and previous knowledge, can influence their motivation and participation in class. When cultural experiences are not represented in the classroom, students may feel alienated from the curriculum. 

        Cognitive factors influence motivation and engagement. A student's confidence in their ability to succeed in a task influences their willingness to take it on. If the teaching method does not match the student's preferred learning style  their engagement may be limited. Additionally, the way students perceive the reasons for their successes and failures can affect the motivation. k

Strategies Teachers can Utilize to Vanquish these Factors.

• Incorporate diverse perspectives into the curriculum. 
• Foster a supportive classroom where students feel valued and respected. 
• Actively listen to students' concerns and perspectives.
• Tailor instruction to cater to individual learning styles.

Teachers should foster a classroom atmosphere that promotes students' sense of independence, skillfulness, and connection to enhance and boost their involvement. 

Teacher Attributes that Promote Student Motivation and Engagement

• Positive Teacher Behavior-being kind, optimistic, and encouraging. Also, provide frequent, positive feedback to help students believe they can succeed. 
• Get to know your students-Familiarize yourself with your students-demonstrating a genuine interest in their individual interests will foster their loyalty to you. A teacher who shows a deep commitment to students' learning and believes in their potential will make a significant impact.  (Yarborough and Fedesco, 2020). 

Teacher Attributes that May Hinder Student Motivation

• Negative Teacher Behaviors-Teachers who show favoritism can lower student motivation.
• Limited Opportunities for Participation- Students may feel discouraged if they don't have many opportunities to participate in class. 

Strategies Teachers Utilize to Improve Motivation and Engagement

• Know Your Students- Demonstrate a sincere interest in the students education and believe in their abilities. 
• Enhance Task Interest Engagement-Classrooms that foster positive attitudes and emotions lead to students feeling more motivated and confident in their abilities(Ten, 2020). 
• Build Social Interactions- Students actively participate in their study groups and are involved in their tasks. Collaborative learning among peers can enhance students' motivation to learn. This approach also encourages positive interactions among peers.