Week Three T2P

If we provide our students with tasks that elicit emotion then the students are more likely to become intrinsically motivated to learn.

Studies have show that when students are learning about a topic that elicits some type of emotion within them, positive or negative, that they become more connected to learning. This emotional tie to learning can lead to an intrinsic motivation to learn. There are three components to intrinsic motivation: autonomy, purpose, and mastery. In order for students to use their intrinsic motivation to fuel learning they must have a sense of purpose. This is the idea that students learn for the purpose of something greater than themselves. The students must also have a sense of autonomy in order to be intrinsically motivated. This is the belief that one is in charge of their own learning. Lastly, the student must want to become a master at something that has meaning to them. As teachers it is often easier to externally motivate our students through rewards or punishments. There has been evidence that external motivators decrease creativity in our students. Therefore, it is important for us as teachers to find ways to help our students become motivated. If we choose tasks that elicit emotion in our students the things that they are learning will become more meaningful to them. With this meaning can come a sense of purpose and mastery.