I was speaking with some teachers last week, and noted a theme emerging about what they’d seen in their kids: an increase in confidence and maturity among many of them. It’s something I’ve heard echoed by teachers in other schools and, to me, what sits underneath this is the idea of motivation, specifically intrinsic motivation.
Intrigued, I pulled out my old ed psyc textbook from training college and turned to the section on motivation. It was interesting the conditions they noted as being required for intrinsic motivation to be fostered:
the opportunity to build from prior knowledge and interests
curiosity being stimulated
the use of fantasy, make-believe and simulation
active involvement in learning
meaningful feedback
sufficient time to achieve goals
interaction with peers
autonomy
the presence of people who value learning
a safe, trusting and supportive environment
an expectation of success.
When I look at that list, I can’t help but think many of those conditions ‘naturally’ occur at home. Do you agree? If you too have found many learners are back with increased confidence and motivation, and it’s something you like, these conditions for intrinsic motivation provide a good guide for how those qualities can be sustained across the transition back to school.
In the live-chat on Wednesday evening we’ll pick up this thread. What have you noticed about your learners? Have they returned confident and mature, motivated? How might you sustain it?
A reminder that this coming Sunday Issue #2 of The Smata Bulletin is out, exclusive to paid subscribers.