Motivating Students
Meeting needs
“Students are most motivated to learn when they feel they are competent, they belong to and are supported by a community, and they are in control of their own learning i.e. autonomous” (Svinicki 2016, p.6).
Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
Self-determination theory is a theory of motivation in which the basic needs of feeling competent, autonomous and related to others are being met. Thwarting these needs can lead to controlled motivation (i.e. pressure to behave in certain ways) or being unmotivated (Deci & Ryan 2012).
- Competent: Students “must believe that they can understand and operate competently in their environment” (Svinicki 2016, p.7).
- Autonomous: Students “need to feel that they are in control of their environment” (Svinicki 2016, p.7).
- Belonging: Students “need to feel that they are part of a group, and accepted and supported by it as they continue to develop” (Svinicki 2016, p.7).
Learning Context
Strategies for motivating students
Teaching Method
Display personal interest in students and their learningSDT Category
Feel Belonging
Teaching Method
Find ways to help students answer their own questionsSDT Category
Feel competent & Feel Autonomous
Teaching Method
Explain course material clearly and conciselySDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Help students interpret subject matter from diverse perspectivesSDT Category
Feel Belonging
Teaching Method
Form team or groups to facilitate learningSDT Category
Feel Belonging
Teaching Method
Encourage Students to reflect on and evaluate what they have learnedSDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Provide meaningful feedback on the academic performance of studentsSDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Give tests, projects, etc. that cover important points of the courseSDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Ask students to share ideas and experiences with others whose backgrounds and viewpoints differ from their ownSDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Ask students to share ideas and experiences with others whose backgrounds and viewpoints differ from their ownSDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Give projects, tests or assignments that require original or creative thinkingSDT Category
Feel Autonomous
Teaching Method
Include learning contracts where students identify gaps in knowledge to create personal learning journeysSDT Category
Feel Autonomous
Teaching Method
Ask students to help each other understand ideas or conceptsSDT Category
Feel Competent
Teaching Method
Involve students in hands on projects like research and case studiesSDT Category
Feel Competent
References
- Deci, ED & Ryan RM 2012, ‘Motivation, personality, and development within embedded social contexts: An overview of self-determination theory’, in RM Ryan (ed.), The Oxford handbook of human motivation, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, pp. 85-107
- Svinicki, MD 2016, Motivation: An updated analysis, IDEA Paper #59, IDEAedu, viewed 2 March 2018, Link
