How To Motivate Students

Motivating students is a challenge all teachers face.  Since every classroom consists of a wide array of students, each student brings with them different learning styles, different interests, and different life experiences that make each classroom unique and special.  There are several ways that teachers can tap into the individual learning styles and interests of students; thus making learning more fun and meaningful all at the same time.

1. Expectations.  Teachers should set reasonable objectives for every lesson that allow their students to progress in the classroom.  Expect students to achieve the objectives, and they will.  Studies show that students achieve at higher rates when their teachers have high expectations for them.

2. Success.  Motivate students by showing them that they can be successful in the classroom.  Teachers can differentiate instruction to meet the students' needs by adjusting the corresponding class work to the appropriate levels.   Class work can be modified in a variety of ways: shortened assignments, extra response time, or enrichment activities.
3. Relevance.  Show students how what they are learning matters in real life.  Guide students to discuss the new material, and allow students to draw on their own experiences to learn and understand the new material.
4. Engaging Questions.  Lead in with questions that will get the students talking.  Encourage students to discuss the topic by bringing what they know about the topic to the classroom discussion.  Clarify any questions that arise by encouraging the students to talk to each other first and expand on their pre-existing knowledge.
5. Incorporate different learning styles.  Use a variety of strategies in the classroom to facilitate the lesson.  Classroom discussions consist of whole group learning.  Cooperative group learning allows students to work together on assignments in small groups.  Direct instruction allows teachers to model lesson assignments first so students can work independently at their desks. 
6. Rewards and Privileges.  Rewards and privileges are great motivational tools for hard work.  Teachers can use a variety of them to encourage student participation.  Examples of privileges or rewards are as follows: Lunch with the teacher allows students to come back to the classroom and eat lunch with the teacher.  Extra center time allows students to have a few more minutes at a computer lab.  Pizza parties or snacks can be offered as incentives.  A token-based economy is a great reward system that lets students earn points or chips that can be cashed in for prizes, such as pencils or notepads.

There are lots of ways to motivate students.  Most importantly teachers can show students that they can be great learners.  By addressing the various needs of the students inside each classroom, students' achievement levels will increase and so will their motivation.