Teach English in GAoAn Zhen - Chongqing

Motivation in the ClassroomMotivation is a key aspect of a dynamic learning environment. Discovering what motivates students, and what will keep me motivated is an important part of a productive learning environment. Motivational factors are influenced by both internal and external factors, and sensitivity and understanding towards these factors is an important role of a teacher. It is important for a teacher to foster a learning environment that motivates students through their interests, and it is also equally important that a teacher have a desire beyond external rewards. This article will address the different factors of motivation, an analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and ideas for how I can motivate myself and my students. There are two types of factors that influence motivation internal and external. External factors are things involving the environment of a student. This includes the classroom, home, social, and world environment. While a teacher cannot control their student?s home, world, and social environments they can make the classroom a place that fosters learning, and can create an atmosphere that makes students feel safe. The teacher can do this by paying close attention to the things in the classroom that are effecting the learning environment, such as peer dynamics, physical condition of the classroom, the attitude of the teacher, and how material is presented. Internal factors of motivation are things such as attitudes, interests, values, and perceptions. Internal factors are shaped by the world around us, but a teacher still must address these factors. An example of this is a student?s perceived ability of themselves. The depth to which students feel they can learn goes a long way in deciding how well they will do in a classroom, and a teacher should motivate their students to believe they can do as much as possible. Understanding extrinsic and intrinsic motivational factors is a key role of a teacher. Extrinsic motivational factors are incentive based. Examples of these include food, praise, free time, etc. Extrinsic motivation involves finding motivation through something outside the activity, while intrinsic motivation involves finding motivation within the activity itself. The student is interested becomes so engaged with the activity that the act of doing it becomes their reward. Each plays an important role within the classroom. Ideally every class activity would motivate students intrinsically, but we do not live in an ideal world. Extrinsic awards can be limited in their effectiveness, but they are a practical way of getting things accomplished in a classroom. As stated in the first lesson?s PDF teachers can work to motivate students by varying their lessons varied and interesting. In today?s society with instant access to information teachers can look toward the ideas of many other experienced teachers. Each classroom is unique, and it is important for a teacher to understand the needs of their students. This means getting to know them, and paying close attention the classroom dynamic. I feel it is important for a teacher to start the first couple of classes with a getting to know each other activities, and observing closely how students interact with one another. Teachers must be able to engage, motivate, and challenge students, and this is only possible if they are motivated themselves. I also think teacher motivation can be overlooked. We have all probably had a bad teacher, and that teachers motivation for being their played an important role in how we felt about them. As teachers we must understand a few things. Classrooms are going to have their ups and downs, just like we are. The important thing is to find what keeps us going. students can sense when a teacher is truly involved with them, and this will go a long way in establishing a foundation for a productive learning environment. I think as a new teacher understanding how to motivate students, as well as staying motivated, will be as important the material I will be presenting them. If the students are under motivated I will not be a successful teacher. While I feel theory is an important basis for ideas and structures in a learning environment, experience is necessary for becoming a great teacher. Works Cited Lile, William T. "Lile - Motivation in the ESL Classroom(TESL/TEFL)." Internet TESL Journal (For ESL/EFL Teachers). Jan. 2002. Web. 02 Jan. 2012. . "student Motivation | Classroom Challenges | Focus on Effectiveness." Northwest Educational technology Consortium. Web. 02 Jan. 2012. .