How Can Teachers Motivate Students to Complete Assignments?

How Can I Help My Students Become Motivated Learners?

There is no 'one size fits all' method for motivating students. Some students are naturally motivated learners, while others need a great deal of help to complete assignments. For this reason, there are many different theories and strategies on how to motivate students.

Understanding Extrinsic Motivation and Intrinsic Motivation

Students who are driven by external factors, known as extrinsic motivation, generally do not find the motivation within themselves to finish their work. Although you could provide extrinsic motivation by giving rewards and other material incentives for completing assignments, these techniques don't always reach all students. If you've used rewards in the past, you may have noticed that the students who get the most rewards are often the students who would've completed the assignments anyway.

You may be able to reach more students by helping them become intrinsically, or internally, motivated. You can do this by making the assignments fun and meaningful while minimizing busy work. Before assigning a large project, for example, you can excite students by tapping into their background knowledge and interests. Once students are excited, they will be more motivated to complete the assignment. The material you present must be relatable to their lives or it may be difficult for them to stay focused.

Creating a Positive Classroom Environment

Self-esteem makes students feel good about themselves and their abilities right from the start. Most students who believe themselves to be smart and capable will outperform students filled with self-doubt or anxiety about their work. When possible, maintain an open and responsive attitude towards the needs of every student and try to make sure that everyone feels valued as a member of the class. After determining the average learning curve of your class, set the bar there while providing extra assistance and extra challenges to students who need either.

Engaging Your Students

Try to devise projects and activities that are interactive and approach them with an enthusiasm that your students pick up on. Completing worksheets all the time can become uninteresting and students may not be motivated to complete them after awhile. If you can find ways for students to practice essential skills while also being engaged in creative activities, you may discover that students become more motivated when it comes to the dryer assignments that need to be completed. It's easier for many students to focus on assignments when there are also games and other fun learning activities. Variety can be an essential tool.

Listening and Responding to Students

Every student is different and every combination of students that form a class is different. In order to ensure that your students complete their assignments, it's helpful to listen to them and respond specifically to who they are. Try to keep your students directly involved in all classroom activities and make sure that every individual has a place. You may even consider asking your students what they like and don't like in the class and hold votes about what activities they want to do when assignments are complete.