Get Your Students Hired
Intrinsically- I am motivated by my love of the subject I teach. I think it is the coolest thing in the world and I want my students to feel the same way I do. I get very excited when we are going over concepts and it has become a joke in the class, because it seems that everytime I start I new subject, I must open with,"This is my favorite".
Extrinsically- I am motivated by my students getting jobs and therefore giving me a good reputation in my field. How I am percieved by other professionals in my field is very important to me. (typing this out, it sounds very shallow to me...but it's true)
Karen, do you ever engage with your students to better understand their extrinsic versus intrinsic values? Students can also gain from conversations around how intrinsic values tend to be more long lasting and more powerful than extrinsic.
James Jackson
I am intrinsically motivated to put forth the very best I can.
Extrinsically, I love watching students have an "Ah-Ha" moment over something I have taught or shared.
Passion for my field motivates me intrinsically. Students doing well in my class motivates me extrinsically.
Jeremy, what conversations do you have with your students concerning intrinsic versus extrinsic motivators? Such conversations with your students could bring forward a better understanding of your own true motivators.
James Jackson
I'm intrinsically motivated by helping others.
I can't really think of what extrinsically motivates me. Maybe I have no extrinsic motivators right now.
I feel that teaching provides a reward of self actualization, which is the ultimate intrinsic motivator.
I do discuss this topic, but in different terms. We talk about owning reasons to do things instead of being told to do things; as well as, how much better it is to want to do something from within yourself. When I have taught Career Success I make them write down all the reasons they are in school and then circle the ones that have nothing to do with what someone else is enforcing or rewarding them to do.
Anthony, very well stated. What are your thoughts about carrying on this conversation with your students and finding out what they know about extrinsic versus intrinsic values and the benefits of each? Many students focus so much on the extrinsic and may not understand the importance of the intrinsic. Having such conversations can assist students in better understanding and tapping into their own levels of motivation.
James Jackson
Christopher, great post. Do you ever have conversations with your students about the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic values? Such conversations could be useful to your students as they better become acquainted with their own motivations towards learning.
James Jackson
Israel, well stated. Do you feel that you gain more from the intrinsic versus the extrinsic? How might you strike up conversations with your students about the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic values and why this knowledge is important?
James Jackson
Frederick, well stated. How now can you make use of your own knowledge between the values and outcomes between extrinsic and intrinsic values and impart some of your wisdom onto your students? What conversations do you have with students to help them understand the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic values?
James Jackson
Intrinsic motivates me to be more effective by showing passion for what I teach.
Extrinsically motivates me to be an excellent instructor by means of games and awards.
Hi James,
What motivates me intrinsically is trying to find better ways to share and communicate information to my students. I have very little concerns with rewards are recognition, but instead I am motivated to ensure that I am giving my student up to date and sufficient knowledge and skill building activities that will help them to develop their own careers.
Extrinsically I am motivated by my schools standards that require me to take so many course each year as part of my faculty development. Also, we have to meet a certain standard on our end of course surveys.
But I often find that if I focus on my intrinsic motivation to help others gain knowledge and skills to help them succeed, those extrinsic motivators take care of themselves.
Anthony
I love turning the tables a bit here and asking what motivates me as an instructor. Since I am instructing adults, this helps me see what might motivate them as well.
Intrinsically I love teaching something in clear language that makes brain lights go on. Anything I can do to make a concept more clear, interesting or memorable motivates me.
Extrinsically I am motivated when I see a student getting it or acing an exam. Not only does the student benefit, that is my own reward for teaching well.
Intrinsically: The love I feel for teaching, for passing down my knowledge and experience to my students.
Extrinsically: when I meet former students on the street and they greet me with respect and affection.
It is my passion and desire to impart knowledge to the students that motivates me to be effective in the classroom.
And to hear the students expressing their gratitude, in appreciation of their success, just motivates me to continue being the best I can as an instructor.
It is a combination of both. Many of the students have had unpleasant experiences with math and come in expecting another horrible experience. Some of them can see the relevance but many do not. Rather than confronting the unpleasant experiences in the past, they complain the subject is not relevant. I spend quite a bit of time showing them relevance as well as trying to build them up psychologically. I can tell when I have reached a student when I see their goals change from wanting to pass the class and get it over with to "rather than just pass, I want to understand."
Intrinsic motivation in the classroom for me is to make sure I am current and up to date so that I am delivering the subject matter needed for the students to be successful in the industry today. Change is never ending.
Extrinsic motivation for me entirely revolves around the thresholds set by our accrediting bodies. If I am successful doing my part then I will be rewarded with exceeding the thresholds set. An example, I have 8 recent graduates and the national pass rate for our industry is set at 80%. I have 6 students as of today complete and pass the exam. 6 for 6 100% and shooting for 100%.
I want my students to learn all that they can from me. I also enjoy a challenge from my students. It makes me want to strive everyday for them to be a better instructor. Seeing the look on my students faces once they "got it" in lab or via test is the best extrinic motivator.
Sybil, great post. Do you find that most students that do not like your topic are more afraid of the subject matter or just have a lack of appreciation of the value it can play in their careers?
James Jackson