Motivation Factor 1: The Teacher

Motivation Factor 1: The Teacher

While in class teaching, teachers may focus more on the content to teach, materials to cover, or lesson plans to follow, and may pay less attention on how they are presenting themselves in front of the students? What images or impression do the students have of them? How are they interacting with their students? Or what relationship do they have with the students? However, students reported that teachers have a very strong influence on their motivation. According to Erin, a graduate student from the EDCI 6304 Learning & Cognition course, the teacher is the main reason that “makes you feel you have to be there or that you want to be there.”

Teachers can motivate the students to learn through many different ways such as teacher personality, teacher enthusiasm or passion, teacher care and love, and teacher belief, and teacher dedication. All of these teacher motivating elements can be manifested through teachers’ verbal or nonverbal behavior.

Teacher personality

The personality of the teacher is, I believe, the strongest tool that a teacher has to get the attention of that student. If you do not meet the student half and half, all the knowledge the teacher has make no sense. So personally, I think that art has a bigger influence in letting the student to be comfortable and assuring that the teacher is there to help and not to dictate.—Molly, Jan 24, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

The first day of class is always filled with anxiety because you really don’t know what to expect. Most of the time your fears are confirmed when you get a professor that seems too abrasive and unapproachable. Other times you are pleasantly surprised how friendly and approachable a professor can be. This contrast of professors is what makes you feel you have to be there or that you want to be there. We should all be excited when learning something new, but sometimes how it is presented sours the experience.—Erin, Jan 15, 2008 EDCI 6304

Teacher passion

… the professor’s attitude can affect the class’ development. If the professor does not show any interest in the class, the students will not be motivated to absorb as much information as they would if they were to have a professor fully interested in his class subject.—Patrick, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

The teacher also mentioned that she is very passionate about learning and confirmed her passion by mentioning that she enjoys doing research. I was very impressed because I have never had a teacher who does extra work for the interest of it besides grading papers.—Ali, Jan 15, 2008 EDCI 4322-60

Teacher care

There are so many different ways to reach out and guide a child to success. Simply showing you care and taking time to speak with that child one on one can be a simple way to produce dramatic results. Just showing a student that you care can do a lot.—Eric, November 18, 2007, EDCI 4322-61

…the educators’ ability to connect with the learners, this is not to say that we as educators need to be “friends” with the learner, but we do need to be responsive with the learners, we need to be able to show them that we care about the input they bring to the class as well as the personality they bring to the class. By doing this I think that the learners will come to respect us as some one they can confide in, and also I think that it gains their respect because we respect them.—Brandon, Jan 18, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

When I walked into the room, I was surprised how friendly and caring Dr. Boyanton seemed to be because she was talking to some of the students before class started. One of my weaknesses is that I am extremely shy but I felt welcomed in her classroom because she asked me where I worked. This simple gesture made me feel almost at home and ready to expand my knowledge. -- Amy, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 6304

Mrs, Dengting, you have been great and I just want to let you know that You are my motivation. You show your students how much you care and really listen. But like you said you were once in our position so I know you probably had a professor that motivated you as well.—Jackie, November 18, 2007, EDCI 4322-61

No professor has ever taken the time to ask us how our week was or get to know us on a personal level. Looking back that has to be the best thing about this class. Dr. Boyanton took the time to get to know us on a personal level. Personally speaking, that made me want to show up for class. It encouraged me to try my best and never give up.—Eric, December 5, 2007, EDCI 4322-61

Teacher belief

I was very surprised to have been chosen (as the panelist by the instructor). I was nervous at first to talk about my personal experiences in the class room… I do love what I do and where I am at this point of my life. I too have proved many persons that did not believe in me that I would get this far in education. Further more I will not stop with Bachelors degree will continue with my Master’s degree. I did feel good to share what are my personal experiences in the school.-- Sally, Jan 24, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Teacher dedication

I was also very impressed with Ms. Dengting for showing up to class even though she was still obviously very sick. I really admire her courage and determination for coming to work and teach besides her illness. I think that any other professor would have cancelled the class again if they were in the professor's place. That is what motivates me to keep on going and work hard to finish my goal of obtaining my bachelor's degree.—Lisa, November 12, 2007, EDCI 4322-61

…what de-motivates me is careless professors, who don’t take the time to even get to know your NAME during the semester. To them, you are just a way of getting a paycheck. Their classes are usually monotonous, consisting of reading assignments, homework activities and continual quizzes, without even going over the material because “it should have been read already.” No feedback provided, other than the grade received when the assignments or quizzes are finally given back!—Maggie, November 12, 2007, EDCI 4322-61

To learn more about college student motivation:
Want to, Have to, or Hate to Learn—Motivation
Motivation Factor 1: The Teacher
Motivation Factor 2: The Class
Motivation Factor 3: The Individual Goals
Motivation Factor 4: Family
Motivation Factor 5: The Peers
Motivation Factor 6: The Environment