Motivation to Study: 24 Tips for Higher Education
The students in your lectures and seminars maybe bored, lethargic or have no motivation following your teaching? Do you experience this sometimes?
You will find 24 tips for reflecting your academic teaching. These tips are derived from my recent research projects and grounded on the Integrated Model of Learning and Action (ILMA).
Academic Motivation: The Start (IMLA: Motivation Phase)
In the beginning, students need to realize what to expect. You can initialize the learning internalization process by providing in-depth information about the learning topic. The students can then establish a first learning orientation for themselves. They should become aware about their own strengths and weaknesses. The main emphasis should be on the learning process (and not the learning content). Teaching should always promote self-development and self-transformation. Other prerequisites for encouraging academic motivation are free choices, such as selecting a learning topic. This promotes the perceived autonomy and subsequently increases the acceptance of responsibility. This is the starting point for an increased motivation for learning.
Information. Provide more in-depth information about the learning process and learning theme in advance (Advance Organizer).
Learning Objects. Transparent communication of learning objectives and learning challenges (without arousing fears).
Prior Knowledge. Provision of tools for (self-)diagnosis of prior knowledge
Choice of Topic. Provide a variety of learning topics (for free choice) to increase autonomy an intrinsic motivation.
Learning Climate. Creating a fearless learning climate and being tolerant towards mistakes.
Relaxation. Implement phases of relaxation within the motivation generation.
Consider Heterogeneity. Consideration of the heterogeneity of learning motivations. Don’t assume all students are equally motivated.
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The Learning Intention (ILMA)
Each student learns best in a specific way. And this way maybe very different from the teacher’s learning approach. Support your students in finding new learning methods and learning strategies. Encourage them actively to explore, experience and evaluate new learning methods.
Elicit new Strategies. Elicit and assist in finding new ways of working and learning.
Different Learning Methods. Introduce new and different (and probably new) learning methods (for free choice) and provide time for testing these methods like mind mapping.
Outcome Expectancy. Providing suggestions which learning methods could be effective.
Reflection Time. Provide time slots and the freedom for reflecting learning methods (probably combined with peer evaluation).
Relaxation. Implement phases of relaxation in the learning intention process.
Different Learning Methods. Reflect DIFFERENT learning methods in your own teaching. The students will probably learn with a different method than yourself.
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The Implementation of Learning Actions (IMLA: Volition Phase)
The implementation of the learning process can be very different for each student. Create safe learning spaces which can be used for individual learning processes.
Disturbance-Free Learning Environment. Create a protected and disturbance-free learning environment that prevents your students from getting distracted.
Relaxation. Provide phases of relaxation in the learning implementation process.
Collaborative Learning. Organize collaborative learning using role scripts such as the jigsaw puzzle (reciprocal teaching and learning).
Individual Progress. Allow individual time and work planning for the individual progress of each student.
Individual Learning Pathways. Allow individual learning pathways and learning strategies for your students. Actively seek and make different pathways visible.
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Motivation over Time: Feedback Loops (IMLA)
In order to keep the learning processes motivated and effective over time students should regularly reflect on their learning progress and their self-transformation. Therefore, provide your students with feedback on their individual learning progress.
Retinity. Provide linkages between different knowledge areas for retinity and better retrieval.
Feedback on Progress. Provide and/or organize feedback on individual learning progress of the students.
Feedback on Effectiveness. Provide and/or organize feedback on the effectiveness of learning methods.
Formative Assessment. Provide tools for self-assessment or peer-assessment for formative evaluation of students’ learning progress.
Criteria for Learning Progress. Provide (objective) criteria for measuring learning progress.
Visibility of Learning Progress. Create visible signs for individual learning progress of your students.
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