Motivation in Teaching & Learning

What is Motivation?

Motivation is a condition that activates and sustains behavior toward a goal. It is critical to learning and achievement.

An example of this is Children who are motivated tend to be engaged, persist longer, have better learning outcomes, and do better on standardized tests

Key Findings of Research on Motivation to Learn:

- - People are motivated to succeed by rewards and punishments, but many times have intrinsic reasons for learning which can be more powerful
  - Learners are more likely to stick with learning if the challenge is manageable and has value to them
  - Those who focus on personal performance are less likely to seek challenges and continue trying than those who focus on learning.
  - Those who focus on learning over personal performance or who have intrinsic motivation tend to set more personal goals and strive to be successful
  - Teachers can help students develop a learning orientation by encouraging the focus to be on learning rather than performance

Motivation is also viewed as an emergent phenomenon, meaning it develops and changes over time due to one’s experiences with learning

An example of this would be a student’s curiosity and interest can support motivation and learning because of their learning environment

A key factor in motivation is Mindset, which is Assumptions, values, and beliefs about oneself and the world that influence how one perceives, interprets, and acts upon ones environment

Types of Motivation

Intrinsic
Extrinsic

Intrinsic

Natural human tendency to seek out and conquer challenges as we pursue personal interests and exercise our own capabilities.

Extrinsic

Doing something to earn a grade, avoid punishment, please a teacher, or something that has little to nothing to do with the actual ask itself.

Abraham Maslow:

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)
American Psychologist
- His theory focused on psychological health
- It predicts fulfilling inherent human needs in prioritization or reaching ones full potential ("self-actualization")

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is motivational theory
- 5 (or more) levels
- Starting from the bottom and working up the pyramid
- Each level must be completed (without skipping levels) before reaching self-actualization

Psychological Needs

Food
Water
Shelter
Clothing
Sexual Reproduction

Safety Needs

Financial Security
Health and Wellness
Safety Against Accidents or Injury

Love & Belonging

Friendships
Romantic Attachments
Family
Social Groups
Community Groups
Churches or Religious Organizations

Esteem

Professional Activities (career)
Academic Accomplishments
Athletic or Team Participation
Personal Hobbies

Self-Actualization

According to Maslow’s definition of self-actualization, "It may be loosely described as the full use and exploitation of talents, capabilities, potentialities, etc. Such people seem to be fulfilling themselves and to be doing the best that they are capable of doing. They are people who have developed or are developing to the full stature of which they capable."

Criticism of Maslow's Theory:

(source) https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4136760

Needs don't follow a hierarchy: While some research showed some support for Maslow's theories, most research has not been able to substantiate the idea of a needs hierarchy. Wahba and Bridwell reported that there was little evidence for Maslow's ranking of these needs and even less evidence that these needs are in a hierarchical order.
The theory is difficult to test: Other criticisms of Maslow's theory note that his definition of self-actualization is difficult to test scientifically. His research on self-actualization was also based on a very limited sample of individuals, including people he knew as well as biographies of famous individuals that Maslow believed to be self-actualized.

Final Thoughts:

From his theory, they discovered that the fulfillment of needs was strongly correlated with happiness
- However, people from all different cultures states that self-actualization and social needs were important even when some of their basic needs were not met

Self-Determination Theory:

Developed by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci
- Focuses on intrinsic motivation
  - Involves six different levels or types of motivation
  - Also, defines three basic needs
  - Involves human motivation and personality that concerns people's inherent growth tendencies and psychological needs

Three Basic Needs:

Autonomy

"The right or condition of self-government."
- Feeling of independence

Competence

"The ability to do something successfully or efficiently."
- Feelings of worth or ability

Relatedness

"The state or fact of being related or connected."
- Feelings of belonging or connection

Six Different Levels of Motivation:

Google Sites

Report abuse