Motivating Students in Classrooms
Many motivational principles are theoretically clear and well supported by research, yet difficult to apply in classrooms. This is especially true of principles for supporting students' intrinsic motivation because attendance is required, curricula are externally determined, and students' performance is subject to grading and other extrinsic consequences. This article offers guidelines about how teachers can respond to these challenges and encourage motivation to learn by establishing their classes as collaborative learning communities, supporting their students' confidence as learners, and helping them to appreciate curricular content as worth learning and applicable to their lives outside of school.