Among all different factors, the one which motivates students and influences them most is their own individual goals they set for themselves. These goals vary from simply passing the class, a good grade, self-approval, becoming a better person/teacher, to making a difference in the world.
Graduation
I really feel that by the time that I finish my degree, I will be so proud of myself to know that I was able to overcome the challenges in order to finish my career and become one of the few that finishes the university.-- Lisa, October 22, 2007, EDCI 4322-61
I also motivate myself by remembering how close I am to graduation and that the semesters go by faster and faster each time. I always picture myself walking in my graduation whenever I feel tired or stressed out about school, this really motivates me.-- Valerie, November 12, 2007, EDCI 4322-61
…what motivates me to keep me learning is the idea that the day I finished college I’m going to have that feeling of proud and satisfaction. All these years I’ve been looking forward for the day of my graduation. Simply the idea of saying, “I have a career,” would make me the person I’ve always dreamed of: being a teacher… So basically after finishing college I would consider myself an accomplished woman.—Hellen, November 12, 2007, EDCI 4322-61
I have always strived to do my best at everything I do and will continue to do so, but I am feeling as if though my best may not be good enough anymore. I really need to focus on my motivation for graduating, which will hopefully get me through these difficult times.—Maggie, December 3, 2007, EDCI 4322-61
Improve self-image: prove others wrong
It may sound ironic and unbelievable, but sometimes a negative comment such as criticism from others or bad experiences can actually motivation students to learn. These bad experiences can be experience of poverty, being mis-judged, distrusted, challenged, or even humiliated by others, or feeling inadequate or incompetent. The main reason that such bad experiences motivate people to learn is because they want to work hard to “prove others wrong” about them.
…the question arose that students want to give up when their teachers are shutting them down. Like I mentioned before, it can be taken both ways. I am one of those that chose to prove everyone wrong and even though I am not done with school yet, I believe that I will succeed and most importantly that I CAN and it is possible to succeed. I believe that my motivation is different because I have gone through experiences that others have not. I am not saying that nobody else has through these experiences, but what I am saying is that people can label you and only you have the choice to prove them wrong or allow them to overpower you.—Red, Jan 25, 2008, EDCI 4322-01
Self-improvement
It motivates me to learn in the class about education in the classrooms nowadays because I hardly have any knowledge of it. This is something that really makes me want to go to class and learn.—Valerie, November 12, 2007, EDCI 4322-61
Become a better person, a better teacher
I hope that I can learn a lot from this course, so that I can be the best teacher possible.-- Kristy, Jan 16, 2008, EDCI 4322-01
In this class I am like a sponge. I am always trying to absorb as much information as possible, because I want to be a great teacher.-- Mina, Jan 24, 2008, EDCI 4322-01
I look forward to the different topics that will be covered in this course, easy or hard, and hope to come out a better person and teacher at the end of this semester.-- Hannah, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 6304
Every time I enter a new classroom it almost feels like I am beginning a new chapter of my life because of the realization that I will become a better educator from this experience. My personal expectation for this course is not only to improve the quality of my students’ education but to learn how to motivate at-risk students to achieve their full potential.-- Emily Fierros, Jan 15, 2008, EDCI 6304
I had signed up for this class because one of my lecturers had mentioned that the constructivist theory of learning was important and that it underlay many of the best practices in teaching. I realized that I had no idea what he was talking about and if I were to return to teaching again after a hiatus of twelve years, I felt that it was imperative for me to learn and understand how theories of learning and cognition informed teaching practices. My ultimate aim is that with this knowledge I would be able to empower and help my students become successful in schools.-- Wai King Hung, Jan 16, 2008, EDCI 6304
Professional skills that are important factors in order make a successful and well prepared future educator. As a responsible student I am looking forward to putting my best effort in order to learn and improve as future educator. Education is the key to success in life and the hope of a better future for everyone.-- Jacky, January 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-01
Make a difference
I do wish to learn some of the interventions that will help the students be better readers. That way I can implement them in my classroom and have all of my class reading at grade level. When I see my students’ faces shine of happiness because they have learned something I feel very happy. I know that I am making a difference in their lives. -- Nancy, 2008 January 22 EDCI 6304
You asked why we want to be teachers? I want to be a teacher because I truly believe that I can make a difference in a child life. I hope that I ALWAYS feel that way about teaching. I don’t want to be like those mean, rude, and negative teachers we talked about. I hope that throughout this class I learn how to stay positive throughout my career as a teacher.--Tyra, Jan 23, 2008, EDCI 4322
Change/improve the situation
Some students’ motivation comes from hearing/knowing bad experiences of others, especially of people they care. For example, when student watch their parents suffering or hear certain teachers are mistreating students in class, they become motivated because they feel the need to improve the situation and the responsibility to be a good teacher for the students.
Hearing my peers having had similar experiences is quite disturbing and motivating at the same time. It is disturbing in a sense because parents are blindly sending their children into an environment that they trust will provide optimal learning conditions for their children. At the same time it is motivating me to become the teacher that all children deserve. All children deserve someone who will be a consultant in their educational lives… now my hope is that we all succeed in our quest to make the classroom a better place. --Irina, Jan 23, 2008, EDCI 4322-01
…but more amazing is what we should consider child abuse with the students. I can’t believe that students are not receiving the right education that they deserve. It was really sad to hear all their bad experiences, but the same time it just make me want this more to really make a change with my students.-- Hellen, Jan 24, 2008, EDCI 4322-01
I like to be a person that likes to motivate persons to become better. Especially in High School I like to encourage my students to succeed in all their classes. Some of them passed through hard times with their classes, others have family problems that de-motivate them to continue studying. I thank God for the opportunity that he gives me to help them to come out of their problems.—Hao, 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
0 comments:
Post a Comment