Overview
Self-Determination Theory is the idea that students need to be intrinsically motivated in order to learn in a more effective manner. Learning is best when students are able to find something that they are passionate about. It allows them to take something they care about and with the support of the educational system develop it into a passion for learning. An intrinsically motivating a student can result in a wellspring of power for the teacher, it results in the teacher being able to deal with less behavioral issues and having student who care more about class. While students cannot always be intrinsically motivated there are ways that teachers can use different models of teaching in order to motivate the students and drive them towards a more internal motivation for learning in the classroom. In a students mind there are three psychological needs for the student to succeed those are competence, relatedness, and autonomy. Once these needs are met then it becomes much easier for students to take stock in what they are learning and grow based upon the lessons that they are learning.
Important Definitions
Intrinsic Motivation: Internal motivation from feelings of satisfaction. The act of accomplishing something is itself a reward.
Extrinsic Motivation: Motivated due to external rewards, such as grades, praise, or because one can benefit from it.
Autonomy: Ability to control one's actions without any external influence.
Relatedness: Feeling connected to work through having a relationship with the people around you or with the work
Competence: The ability to understand work that is being assigned
Verbal Rewards: Most commonly referred to as positive feedback
Tangible Rewards: rewards that are physical and offered as a form of encouragement.
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