Intrinsic Motivation for the Classroom

Bring on the i.

I just finished reading several books about intrinsic motivation. None of the research is new, so why aren’t we incorporating intrinsic motivation into the classroom more?

Here are a few ideas I have on how to add some i to your classroom.

~Mia

Book to add to the reading list:

Why We Do What We Do by Edward L. Deci

http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-What-Understanding-Self-Motivation/dp/0140255265

I did research on motivation in educational settings (http://www.teach-kids-attitude-1st.com/intrinsic-motivation-research.html) and I have a couple suggestions for this graphic to better reflect the scientific understanding.

First, the presentation of only intrinsic and extrinsic motivation gives the impression that there is just two forms of motivation. In fact, there is a spectrum. The extrinsic side actually consists of a continuum of more to less internally endorsed modes of regulating behavior. The definition given is for the extreme of the extrinsic motivation, called external regulation. Extrinsic motivation also encompasses three other levels of regulation.

Second, research has clearly established three principles for the development of intrinsic motivation, so it would make sense to organize the activities in relation to them. The organizing principles are the support of primary human needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Adding this layer of information to the graphic might make it more accessible as a resource in the sense that a teacher may have a sense that they need to work more on one principle and could access those particular activities more directly.

One final piece of feedback, the praise activity is not always a good idea. Praise given improperly can diminish intrinsic motivation. If you are interested I could refer you to some of the research on that topic.
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Enjoy,

Don Berg

Founder of Schools of Conscience
Building the nurturing capacity of K-12 schools.

Site: http://www.Schools-of-Conscience.org
Free E-book: http://www.changethis.com/51.05.AttitudeProblem