Motivation
According to the text book, Introduction to Teaching, motivation is defined as, “The energizing force behind all forms of learning” (Introduction to Teaching page 341). Motivation can viewed such as a reward for students. When students have interest in certain subjects or do really well in others they become motivated to continue to excel in education. The text categorizes motivation into two main definitions, extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is, “Motivation to engage in an activity ti receive some incentive, and intrinsic motivation, motivation to be involved in an activity for its own sake” (Introduction to Teaching page 341). Rewards such as good grades are examples of extrinsic motivation whereas topics that interest a person are examples of intrinsic rewards. Motivation and learning work together because driven students tend to study, learn, and participate better than students that are less motivated. Students will be inclined to work hard and have a confident attitude in school causing less trouble and be able to handle difficult task. As a teacher you need to try and motivate each student to do their very best and keep their motivation increasing as the school-year continues, this will help to gain student achievement.
Instructional strategies that may increase motivation such as becoming familiar with each of your students on a personal level, creating lesson plans that cause students to apply themselves and progress, finally showing them their efforts are worthwhile with a reasonable grading system. The key idea that teachers should aim towards is creating a learning environment around subjects that keep the students enthused. “Attracting and focusing students’ attention [attract their attention as the beginning of a lesson] Personalizing content through real-world applications [linking topics to students lives] Involving students [the extent to which students are actively participating in a learning activity]” (Introduction to Teaching page 342). Motivated teachers will produced motivated students.
Essential teaching skills are important to poses before a teacher begins teaching because a well organized, focused, reflective, inquiring, observing, and applied instructor shows that she cares about the outcomes of students future and success. Referencing table 11.1 from the text shows examples of essential teaching skills. “Teachers beliefs and behaviors: beliefs’ and actions that influence the learning environment. Create a classroom environment that promotes student motivation and learning. Organization: teachers actions include 1) starting lessons on time, 2) having materials prepared in advance and ready for use, 3) making smooth transition from one activity to another, and 4) having well-established routines. Maximize the amount of time available for instruction. Focus: concrete objects, pictures, models, and other examples teachers use to illustrate their topics. Attract and maintain learners’ attention, and provide them with the experiences they used to reach teachers’ learning objectives. Review: discussion and clarification of previously taught content. Help students recall prior knowledge to which new content can be connected. Questioning: the process of 1)using many questions during instruction, 2) calling on students as equally as possible, 3) giving them time to think about heir responses, and 4) providing cues and prompts when they’re unable to answer. Promote the active involvement of students, and encourage them to think about the topic being taught. Feedback: communicating with students about their learning progress.Provide students with the information they need to confirm or increase their understanding. Closure and application: summary at the end of a lesson and practice with the content. Help student confirm their understanding and use their knowledge in new contexts,” (Introduction to Teaching page 349).
Instructional strategies, “Are prescriptive approaches to teaching designed to help student acquire a deep understanding of specific forms of knowledge” (Introduction to Teaching page 360). The four main and most used examples are direct instruction, lecture-discussion, guided discovery and cooperative learning. Direct instruction “a teaching strategy designed to teach essential knowledge and skills needed for later learning. Lecture-Discussion, is an instructional strategy designed to overcome weaknesses of lecture by making [students] more interactive, interspersing questions into [the teachers] presentation. Guided discovery, is an instructional strategy that involves teachers providing students with information and then guiding them to an understanding of concepts and generalizations. Cooperative learning, a set of instructional strategies used to help learners meet specific learning and social-interaction objectives,” (Introduction to Teaching pages 361-370). I aim to be an effective teacher so each of the four instructional strategies will be used in the classroom setting.
To become an effective teacher it is important to begin thinking ahead about way to actually be an effective teacher. It is important to be able to teach students the content of the subject matter that needs to be learned but also giving them lessons that will help grow and be useful through out their lives. Teaching isn't just about telling students what they need to learn instead setting a positive example of the kind person they should aim to become. As an effective teacher I will help them to develop their personal character which should be the type of character who becomes a well-rounded successful individual.
It will be important to teach students they are responsible for their own actions, teaching them how to be accountable will help them throughout their lives. Teaching students to be respectful of others, no matter which differences are apparent will also be useful as they continue to grow because it will show to be accepting of others and will add a sense of balance to their character. Pointing out how to be organized and prioritized are useful when it comes down to doing the important things first then enjoying leisure activities later these will be lessons that I will not only teach to students but show them from example.
Being an effective teacher is far more important than being the “cool” teacher. I want students to be able to learn from my teaching in ways that will them to progress and grow into responsible, respectful, accountable, and well-developed adults. Direct-instruction will be used daily to help students develop skills, teaching them hard work and constant practice are necessary to learn, grow and become successful in life. Class-work, homework, quizzes and test will be given to help students’ practice taking steps into leadership and personal responsibility. Lecture-discussion will be practiced in the classroom in order for students’ to fully understand information that is being given to them, it will be important that students’ are able to gain knowledge from the ideas presented to them. Being an organized teacher will show students the importance of being well prepared and will aide to lessons plans, and the classroom environments going smoothly. Guided discovery will be helpful in my classroom to make sure the students are able to think on their own. I will let them practice thinking skills by providing worksheets that revisits lessons that have been previously taught. Using props will allow students apply their thinking to real-life situations. Letting the students work in groups to help each other reach answers yet making it clear each student needs to think for themselves will be practiced with guided discovery. Cooperative learning helps students to become custom to working with each other, respect each other, listen to one another, these are great skills to be developed while adolescents are young because in their future they will understand how to work in teams. Working in teams will teach students’ how to resolve conflicts in an acceptable manner especially when a common goal is present. These teaching styles will not only help students’ to grow into positive adults but will also teach them to develop their personal skills.
These strategies will all be practiced in the classroom to reinforce that I will be an effective teacher by not just telling my students what they need to known but by providing examples and materials that relate to subjects being learned. It will also be important that students learn not only the content being discussed but also how to function outside the classroom, their social development is just as important as their educational development.
Thinking skills, social skills, self-discipline and personal growth will are be exercised in the classroom because I strive to be an effective teacher. Thinking skills need to be developed for students’ to prepare for their future in college and the work world. Social skills are important for students’ to develop so they are able to function socially as adults with everybody they may encounter in their life time. Self-Discipline needs to be practiced for students’ to become accountable for their actions. Adults that have been made accountable for their actions while growing up are able to make more logical and wiser decisions. Personal growth will be refined through the effectiveness of the teaching strategies that I plan to use in the classroom. Personal growth will continue to mature because the examples and lessons taught effectively will stay with a person throughout their lifetime.
Kauchak, Donald P. (2014) Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a professional. University of Utah.
