Using Discussion to Motivate Students
Motivation is a force that enables us to achieve a set goal. It is an essential aspect of learning for it plays a big role in the process of teaching and learning. It helps students to enjoy their lessons in class and therefore enhances learning. There are several motivational theories that are applicable in the classroom such as Herzberg’s two-factor theory, incentive theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This paper illustrates a classroom activity that can be used to make grade 8 students be motivated in a business class. The particular concept and theme to be learned by the students is employees’ motivation.
Through the use of powerpoint projections, the learners can be introduced to the main ideas. Using teaching aids can assist the learners to maintain focus in the class, be attentive and alert all through the entire lesson (Seligman, 1990). After the introduction of the main ideas, it is important to engage the students in a discussion to know their views concerning the topic. The whole lesson should now be based on the ideas given by the students that relate either directly or indirectly to the lesson objectives set by the teacher. This would allow the students to have a feeling that they are contributing to their understanding of the topic. According to Herzberg, there are two factors that contribute towards achieving motivation: motivators and hygiene factors. Among the motivators are responsibility and recognition (Richard, 1985). When the students are engaged in discussions and made to feel responsible then they get satisfied. In the lesson, the teacher also needs to ensure class participation as this creates a feeling of recognition in the students.
Another key motivator in the class discussion will be giving the students challenging work according to their abilities (Richard, 1985). The intelligent and bright students can be given more challenging work compared to the average student and the slow learners. When the class is given a similar activity to work out, that suits the bright students, then the slow learners will feel unmotivated and hence lose interest in learning. Similarly, when the bright students are given extremely easy work, they will get bored quickly and begin to wonder about the point of attending a lesson that they know everything about.
In the process of discussion, as the teacher, providing incentives is essential. The incentives do not have to be tangible but they can be a verbal response towards a student’s displayed behavior. Incentives help to cause a recurrence of a desired behavior (Richard, 1985). Achieving this, the teacher needs to associate a good behavior seen in a student with a positive verbal response. For instance during the discussion activity of this business class, when a student gives a correct answer, he or she needs to be appreciated either with a clap from the other classmates or praises from the teacher.
Worker motivation is a topic that affects everyone and therefore using some real life example can really enhance student motivation to fully participate in the discussion. Also allowing the students to support their explanations and suggestions using real examples is important. For example the teacher can allow the students to give their opinions on the problems that make teachers in public schools not to be motivated since it has been a norm in very many parts of the world for teachers to constantly go on strike.
Reference List
Richard, E. D. (1985). Intrisic motivation and self determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.
Seligman, M. (1990). Learned Optimism. New York: Alfred A. Knopt inc.