Q&As



Question: Is there a magic formula to motivate students? Answer: There is no single magical formula for motivating students. Many factors affect a given student's motivation to work and to learn; for example, interest in the subject matter, perception of its usefulness, general desire to achieve, self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as patience and persistence all help to motivate students.

Question: What can I do as an Instructor to help my students become motivated? Answer: To encourage students to become self-motivated independent learners, instructors can do the following:
 * Give frequent, early, positive feedback that supports students' beliefs that they can do well.
 * Ensure opportunities for students' success by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult.
 * Help students find personal meaning and value in the material.
 * Create an atmosphere that is open and positive.
 * Help students feel that they are valued members of a learning community.

Question: I wonder what students would suggest to help them become motivated in the classroom? Answer: The students would say the instructor's enthusiasm, relevance of the material, organization of the course, appropriate difficulty level of the material, active involvement of students, variety, rapport between teacher and students, use of appropriate, concrete, and understandable examples all help them become motivated.

Question: Is there any relationship between a teacher's expectation and the effect on a student's performance? Answer: Hold high but realistic expectations for your students**.** Research has shown that a teacher's expectations have a powerful effect on a student's performance. If you act as though you expect your students to be motivated, hardworking, and interested in the course, they are more likely to be so.

Question: What would you say is the crucial factor in student motivation? Answer: An instructor's enthusiasm is a crucial factor in student motivation. Be enthusiastic about your subject**.**

Question: How can active learning motivate students? Answer: When students are engaged in active learning, their motivation stems from not just receiving information, but processing it according to their existing knowledge. When actively learning, we receive information and make it our own.

Question: Does “active learning” mean the students must be physically active? Answer: No. Active learning also takes place even when the learner is physically inactive, but mentally processing and integrating the information being presented through self-questioning, analysing or incorporating information into their existing knowledge. Active learning simply means that the mind is actively engaged.

Question: What are some techniques for active learning? Answer: Techniques for active learning include, but are not limited to, establishing high expectations of students, maintaining enthusiasm in the classroom and creating a positive atmosphere that leads to student confidence in their ability to succeed.

Question: Why can using grades be a threat to motivating students? Answer: As McKeachie (1986) points out, the threat of low grades may prompt some students to work hard, but other students may resort to academic dishonesty, excuses for late work, and other counterproductive behavior. Avoid using grades as threats.

Question: How is motivation different in adult learners than younger learners? Answer: Adult learners are often returning to school after time in the work force. They come with unique experiences and developed attitudes and are often seeking precise knowledge they can apply to their work and personal lives. Adult learners should be treated with respect and lessons should directly relate the material to its practical applications.

Question: How is motivation related to the concept of active learning in adult education as far as the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program is concerned ? Answer: PIDP caters to the instructional training requirements of adult learners. The instructional pattern followed during the course is basically self directional in nature and includes a lot of indirect learning techniques that promote active learning. Fair and timely feedback are used as effective tools to motivate students to enhance their performance and excel in the course.

Question: What is metamotivation? Answer: Metamotivation refers to the motivation of those self actualized individuals who strive for excellence and aim to fulfill the being needs that appear at the top of Maslow's hierarchy model. These people have already met their basic needs of love, affection and respect and work towards the attainment of higher needs like morality, creativity, spontaneity etc.