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Get them Obsessed About Learning: Fostering Intrinsic Motivation
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Get them Obsessed About Learning: Fostering Intrinsic Motivation

By 16 October 2024November 6th, 2024No Comments

Getting someone intrinsically motivated about learning involves tapping into their natural curiosity, aligning learning goals with their personal interests, and creating an engaging, rewarding learning environment. 

What is Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation is the internal drive that compels individuals to engage in activities for the sheer enjoyment, interest, or personal satisfaction they bring, rather than for external rewards or pressures like money, praise, or deadlines.

Intrinsic motivation is deeply rooted in personal values, curiosity, and the desire for self-improvement. This type of motivation often leads to more sustained effort and higher-quality outcomes because it aligns with an individual’s core passions and sense of purpose.

As educators, tapping into these qualities help them to become lifelong learners and here are some strategies to foster intrinsic motivation.

Connect Learning to Personal Interests

Discover what the learner is passionate about and tie these interests to the learning process. When people see how new knowledge can directly benefit and enhance their favourite activities or personal goals, they are more likely to be engaged.

Autonomy and Choice

Give learners the freedom to choose what, how, and when they learn. Autonomy is a powerful motivator because it promotes a sense of ownership and control over the learning process.

Challenge and Competence

Design learning activities that are challenging yet achievable. The right level of challenge can stimulate interest and maintain engagement. As learners overcome these challenges, their sense of competence increases, which is a key driver of intrinsic motivation.

Provide Constructive Feedback

Constructive feedback helps learners understand their progress and areas that need improvement. It should be specific, timely, and relevant, helping to guide the learner without undermining their confidence.

Foster a Growth Mindset

Encourage a growth mindset by emphasising that skills and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Teach learners to value effort over innate ability and to see failures as opportunities to learn and improve.

Social Learning

Learning can be more engaging when it’s social. Encourage learners to work in groups or participate in communities where they can share ideas, solve problems together, and learn from each other.

Make Learning Fun

Not game-like elements such as points, levels, and badges to make learning more enjoyable. Incorporating storytelling, puzzles, and interactive content can also make the learning process more exciting.

Encourage Exploration and Curiosity

Create a learning environment that encourages exploration and curiosity. Allow learners to ask questions, explore tangents, and make discoveries on their own. This can lead to deeper engagement and a personal connection to the subject matter.

By using these strategies, you can help cultivate a love of learning that is driven by intrinsic motivation, leading to lifelong engagement with education and personal growth.

Thank you for reading, and if you found a part of this useful. Share so it can help others.

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Aisjam

Author Aisjam

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