A face-to-face classroom and online learning are two completely different environments, so it should be treated that way. You cannot have the same teaching method in a face-to-face classroom as you would if you were strictly teaching on a computer, because the learning environment is different, and the outcomes/results will be different. Research evidence suggests that motivation should be taken extremely seriously in the online learning environment. (Chen & Jang, 2010) From the information that I have gathered, there are certain critical strategies that seem to line up with the research behind keeping students motivated and getting students to stay self motivated. That is, using a theory called the self-determination theory. The self-determination theory consists of three of the universal basic human needs. When these certain needs are met, there is a better overall psychological well being within someone and overall self- satisfaction. The three basic human needs are: Autonomy, competency, and relatedness. But what does that have to do with the motivation online? Let's start with autonomy. Autonomy is giving students a little bit more of a choice and freedom in their learning. It can be small things, such as picking their own study groups, or being able to have a choice from a list of homework. By letting students have a choice in their learning could help make them feel like they had a say and a choice in what is being completed. The second need is competence. When a person feels competent in their learning/work, they will want to keep pushing and learning new tasks, but if a student just isn’t understanding something, the effect could be quite the opposite. One thing a teacher can do is give constructive feedback, along with helping the student build ideas without the student feeling judged. The last need is relatedness. Relatedness is when a person feels included by others. Taking an interest in the students' lives will make them know that you care. Be friendly, smile and joke with students, but most importantly, be supportive. These strategies are for helping students motivate themselves. (Ferlazzo, 2015) When incorporating these three basic needs to students, they will gain confidence, trust and keep the motivation up.

It is important to remember that motivation comes from one's self. Finding ways to get students to self-motivate is extremely important and will only help students in the long run if they understand how to keep themselves motivated. It is important, as future teachers, that we try to use every tool possible to not only get our students motivated for our class, but know how to get students self-motivated and stay motivated for their future. If we let students have a voice, along with constructive criticism, and letting them know that we care about them, they will strive to do better. If the students know that we as teachers care about them, their lives, their opinion, and their future, they will want to work hard at doing the best that they can. Now, let's get these students motivated. They ARE our future!