Dec 5, 2013
Theoretical Views of Motivation
(Motivating and managing students for effective learning)
Motivation is an interesting topic to be discussed. There are many
perspectives on motivation. To know the truth, as a teacher candidate
there is a time that motivate me or not. From what I have learn, motivation is
a process of thinking that can force me to do something toward some objectives
that I want.
There are two things that influence motivation. First is intrinsic motivation. It is an internal motivation in our self that influenced by our self to get our own sake and it will increase when there is a personal choice. Think of intrinsic motivation, there are five factors that can promote intrinsic motivation. There are challenges, control, curiosity, fantasy, and aesthetic value. Second is extrinsic motivation. It is usually influenced by punishments or rewards. Therefore, students will do something if there is something or reinforcement that can motivate them. In conclusion, motivation can be in and out from our mind. I mean, just keep in touch with your motivation.
Another things that I have learn is theories of motivation. There are four theories of motivation: behavioral theories, sociocultural theories, and humanistic theories, cognitive and social cognitive theories. First is about behavioral theories. It is focus on the reflection of experiences from the environment. The experience of the students can influence the behavioral changes. As a teacher we can stimulate our students by giving them a reward or a punishment. Then, it will increase students' external motivation and the result of it will be effective reinforcement. Second is to support students learning in their participation in communities, social interaction will construct students' knowledge. It is called sociocultural theories. Third is humanistic theories. This theory is about fulfilling a full potential as human beings. As a teacher candidate to make a good classroom environment that students believe they can learn and expect, this theory is appropriate for this condition. Fourth is cognitive and social cognitive theories. There are three factors for this theory. There are personal factors, behavioral factors, and environment factors. All of them are related each other. Students will observe and try to understand about their self by observing their environment. Then they will apply what they have got from understanding their self and their environment in their behavior.
As a teacher candidate motivating and managing students for effective learning is not easy as water flow in the river. There are many challenges to support them in learning. By the time, me as a teacher candidate, there will be a time for my turn to increase my students in the future.
