Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation:
One of the major tasks that teachers must undertake during teaching is identifying students who demonstrate high or low motivation in some learning activities. Generally, motivated students are involved in learning activities with intensity and feeling while the unmotivated ones tend to postpone and demonstrate their interests in other things through various ways. As a teacher in a classroom of 20 students, the students have varying academic and social skills levels. Some of the students are very good in all subjects while others are good in mathematics but have difficulties in reading well whereas others are good readers but not very competent in mathematics. The other characteristic of this classroom is that a few of the students have difficulties with nearly every subject. Consequently, there is need to apply various principles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well as using technology and instructional interventions to help various students with learning difficulties.
Applying Different Principles of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation:
Some of the students in this classroom require the application of different principles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to enhance their engagement in learning activities and class work. Sarah does not sit in her seat, tends to wander around the room, and influences other students to start wandering once she starts. On the other hand, George sometimes gets out of control, strikes out at other students or the teacher, and throws his papers and books on the floor. Sarah and George need the application of principles of intrinsic motivation because they would help them to become curious, seek for knowledge and improvement, and become satisfied in the learning process and activities. There are three common principles of intrinsic motivation that can be applied in this scenario i.e. autonomy, purpose, and mastery. Purpose and mastery are the applicable principles to Sarah's case to motivate her to engage in learning. Under purpose, the teacher would communicate high but achievable expectations and goals for Sarah...
Mastery would involve giving her small more frequent tests and assignments to be performed as part of class work. Similar to Sarah's case, George's scenario requires the use of purpose to enhance his engagement in learning. The use of this principle will involve setting higher objectives that will govern George's behaviors and encourage participation in learning tasks.
In relation to external motivation, Sarah and George would benefit from the use of external rewards because they seem to get out of control and influence others. However, the external rewards would be based on the quality of their performance in learning activities rather than mere engagement in the tasks. In this case, Sarah will receive an external reward if she engages in class work and performs well while George would receive the reward if he stops getting out of control and striking others.
Incorporating Technology in the Classroom:
In addition to applying the principles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the learning environment in this classroom can be enhanced by incorporating technology for students to enhance teaching, learning, engagement, and motivation. This is primarily because technology is a means that provides tools for active learning through expanding the scope of learning, expanding accessibility, and extending ways students show what they have learned. Most of the students in the scenario seem to have problems in concentrating in varying learning activities and processes. One of the major ways to address the issue by incorporating technology is to embedding rich media into the teaching and learning processes. This involves using photos, sound, and video files for the students to access while engaging in learning activities. Using visuals in the classroom will not only enhance the teaching and learning process but will also help the students to enhance their engagement and motivation. The concentration and engagement level of students is usually enhanced when they have visuals they relate to.…
