FITB- Chapter 6: Motivation and Boredom

Any one can tell you whether a teacher, a student, or any job profession, that it isn’t enough to be told to do something because it “might” be useful one day. Students need an extra push, and those who are having trouble need an even bigger push, to help learn and understand why school is worth all the trouble and work. Students need to understand that an education is important to their life and their success in life, so ask yourself, “why does this matter?” If you can’t answer that question then how can you teach your students? Help them to grow, to question and to more importantly think about life and how their lives NOW affect them latter.

Students know that school is important but they view this importance as an independence step not as an educational one. They want to use their age and knowledge for freedom away from a variety of situations and places. Help them know why everything they do in school matters in their not just as “a way out” but because it is a way into a whole new life of opportunity. School is a place for change in every aspect of their lives, now how can you impact every aspect of their lives? Students will appreciate the effort you put into them, but only if they feel you truly mean it. Teachers, in today’s world have become another outlet or adult figure similar to a parent- someone who holds rules and guidelines as well as hold high expectations from students. Students want many things, among these to “be well represented; to have a voice, to learn and survive in society, and to find a career path and a well-paying job”.

How can you motivate a student? Well for starters, let your students know that what society and the “outside” world expect of them will change consistently. Being passionate and presenting issues they care about that can connect to not just the outside world but to their world is important to them. Giving students the opportunity to make their own choices and learn with each other can help them to grow not apart from their peers but with their peers. A teacher should always being checking in on their students, but checking for understanding and then responding in a positive way will ensure that you really do care about their choices and opinions. Helping students stay on top of their work load as well as being able to show them how much their work matters, helps them to know that what they are doing is important not just to you but should be important to them as well. Giving examples of role models and people to look up to may help when they have no where else in their lives to look.

A lot of students do not want to complete an assignment or do their homework, mostly because they see no direct benefit to doing it. Therefore understanding that it will help in later assignments, that it will matter to their learning, it is or will be creative, then they can feel safe to explore the assignment and that they are not just repeating information. Treating their writing as important, as windows into their lives, and giving them opportunities for free writing as well as reading can help their interest in the subject. Lastly, students should be able to express themselves. This factor of expression is the biggest motivating feature in the classroom.