Improving Teacher Motivation and Expectancy-Value Theory

Introduction

Student motivation and engagement are considered critical factors toward enhancing learning outcomes and performance. Over the past few decades, numerous efforts have been made in the education sector to enhance student motivation and participation in learning activities. However, when working to increase student engagement, teachers must also find ways to maintain their own motivation for the profession. While student engagement is critical, teachers' motivation is equally essential toward the achievement of learning goals and objectives. This paper examines strategies that can be used to enhance teachers' motivation to teach so that they can continually engage students in learning. Additionally, the paper discusses the impact of expectancy-value theory on daily and annual instructional practices.

Ways for Improving Teacher Motivation

One way to increase motivation to teach—and thereby continually engage students in learning—is to cultivate autonomy. Even though a teacher's role requires driving student learning, a meaningful degree of autonomy is essential for sustaining motivation. According to Daniels (2017), feelings of autonomy have been found to increase teachers' desire and motivation to develop their skills and enhance their competence. As teachers further develop their skills due to these feelings of autonomy, they are better positioned to create a learning environment in which students are continually engaged.

A second approach involves collaborating with other educators. Collaborating with fellow teachers is valuable because teaching as a profession entails lifelong learning in order to achieve desired learning goals and objectives. Collaboration enhances motivation by providing more opportunities to grow, share ideas, and flourish professionally.

A third strategy involves working with school administrators to ensure that the learning environment recognizes and rewards teachers for their contributions. Recognition and respect from administrators are crucial factors in improving teacher motivation to continually engage students in learning tasks and activities. Working alongside school administrators, teachers can help create platforms for performance review and for recognizing and rewarding educators for their input.

Conclusion

Student engagement and teacher motivation are important components toward enhancing students' learning outcomes and performance. Teacher motivation plays a critical role in establishing a productive learning environment and developing instructional strategies that, in turn, influence student engagement. An important aspect of this process is helping students understand the value of engaging in particular learning tasks and the significance of their respective success.

References

Daniels, E. (2017, April 27). Curricular factors in middle school teachers' motivation to become and remain effective. Research in Middle Level Education, 40(5), 1–14.

Marinak, B. A. (2013). Courageous reading instruction: The effects of an elementary motivation intervention. The Journal of Educational Research, 106, 39–48.