Motivation Proclamation

When we go out looking for information about our students, our classrooms, our target demographic, we find it. Overwhelmingly we find that we need to figure out how to “motivate” our students. How to reach the students by understanding where they come from and what is important to them. Our students are constantly changing. Each generation is different than the others. However, it seems that motivation is a perpetual problem. Teachers have taken it upon themselves to try to motivate their students to learn with different techniques. The techniques of motivations are varied. However, they are pretty consistent. These techniques, if implemented, could change the level of realistic student learning.

In Carol Wells article "Motivational Techniques for Improving Reading Comprehension Among Innercity High School Students," several techniques are listed to motivate students. The article references "Innercity" students but states that it can relate to any students that have turned off or tuned out. I believe the techniques can be applied to all students as a way to motivate students.

The first technique for motivating students to read is to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. This can be accomplished by taking an interest in what students are interested in. Then books can be selected for students based on those interests. One way to determine what students are interested in is to have students complete a questionnaire. It is important to know that there is a different direct way to have students to do specific tasks. It becomes set how students will do tasks and sometimes our current technology falls short. With the technology available, it is only a matter of time until something perfect comes out allowing all of these things to be done for the teachers and students alike.

A second technique for motivating students to read is to make time for sustained silent reading or what I refer to as independent reading time. By showing students how to create time for reading they will be motivated to read more. This is an example of modeling when teachers also do the same thing. As a teacher, I try to give time to read. When students are assigned time to read, I try to do that as well. This shows students reading is as important (if not more) than the current filing or copies to be made.

Another motivating technique that I found particularly interesting was make the school library inviting. It was suggested that libraries arrange books just like a book store by displaying attractive covers rather than the uninviting Dewey decimal notations. This technique discusses the issues of the standardization versus patron needs. It is a fine line but when the audience is clear, it may be best to keep it in the bookstore layout.

Providing a reading list is another way to motivate students to read. This list should be developed based on the answers to the student questionnaire. The list will help students to find books that match their interests and will keep them excited about reading.

Finally, another technique that is given to motivate students to read is to form a book club or reading club. With the rise of social collaboration web sites, there will soon be the option available to teachers and students to join an online book club community. That issue will have to be explored in a future blog.