What does it look like when students are engaged with the lesson and motivated to participate in discussions and complete the required work? Students might raise their hands to answer questions and take notes. They are comfortable, but not so comfortable that they aren’t watching the teacher and glancing at the material on the board or computer screen. There are looks of confusion mixed with nods of understanding, which show involvement with the lesson.
What about the opposite situation? What happens with the unmotivated and unengaged students? Start with the work avoidance tactics. I can’t find a pencil. I’m out of paper. My computer is glitching. May I go to the bathroom? Then, the quiet but uninvolved students simply sit, staring out the windows, lowering their heads to the desk. When the teacher calls on them, these kids either don’t know what was asked or where the rest of the class is on the screen or in the book.
Teachers deal with both extremes every hour of the day. Kids are all different, and they are the magic of any classroom. The hopes and dreams for every student, the motivated and the unmotivated, are the same. Teachers want all of their students to become critical thinkers who will ultimately become lifelong learners.
What causes low motivation in students?
Many factors play into motivation for teachers. The same can be said for students. Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for the reasons behind low motivation and engagement in students:
- Many lack faith in their own abilities, so they shut down before trying.
- Students don’t see the relevance of the subject matter to real life.
- Family lives may be unstable and chaotic, making it difficult to let it all go at school.
- Some students are demotivated by extrinsic rewards or even public praise. Know your kids!
- Fatigue is a big problem. Often, parents don’t realize how late kids are awake at night on devices, but teachers notice the effects in the classroom.
- Expectations that feel too high or too low can discourage students from participating.
- Students may engage in power struggles about the quantity or quality of work. Remember that it’s only a power struggle if the adult allows it to happen.
- Peer relationship issues and social pressures aren’t always left at the classroom door.
- Low motivation can be a side effect of undiagnosed learning disabilities and mental health challenges.
- Disinterested teachers and repetitive teaching methods are factors. Students are smart. They can see when teachers are also struggling with motivation. Everyone feels it from time to time. Recognize it and work together to find strategies that help both of you.
How do you engage and motivate students?
So what’s a teacher supposed to do with a room full of students who feel unmotivated for so many different reasons? Take a look at these ideas:
- Create a plan for students that feels manageable. Let them see little victories along the way that keep them yearning for more.
- Set high standards for work quality and effort balanced with realistic expectations.
- Share personal examples of intrinsic motivation, such as purpose, curiosity, and a sense of accomplishment. Don’t tie them to only academics. Think about hobbies, sports, music, and other interests.
- Don’t minimize feelings of anxiety as they relate to schoolwork and testing. Help students figure out how to handle moments when they feel overwhelmed and anxious.
- Create a learning environment that is safe and comfortable.
- Students need to know that the teacher understands them and cares about them. Then, they’ll be willing to open up for academic opportunities.
- Make sure needs are met whenever you can. Teachers can solve every problem, but look for the fixable ones.
- Promote a growth mindset rather than striving for perfection.
- Show your excitement about the lesson. It’s contagious!
- Support successes and stumbling blocks as parts of the learning process.
- Vary your teaching methods. It’ll be more interesting for the students and you!
- Be specific with feedback so students know what they did right and wrong and how to fix errors. Ask for their thoughts about the lessons as well.
- Provide moments for student choice and autonomy and hold them accountable.
- Use movement or a change of scenery whenever possible. Sometimes, reading outside instead of sitting at a desk makes all the difference.
There are as many ways to motivate as there are teachers and students. You have to be willing to keep trying. You’ll find it, and that student will thank you for not giving up.
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