Fostering Motivation in Educational Environments

“Motivation is the process whereby goal-directed activities are instigated and sustained.”

Research shows that motivation influences what, when and how students learn. Students motivated to learn about a topic tend to engage in activities they believe will help them learn. On the other hand, students lacking motivation tend to be inattentive, unorganized, and feel anxious and distracted.

Motivation bears a reciprocal relation to learning. This essentially means that, as educators, parents, or coaches, motivation is central to fostering success in academic and non-academic settings.

This course will explore the recent research and various theories on motivation, goals and goal orientations, intrinsic and extrinsic factors, as well as the neuroscience of motivation. We will also discuss the influence of educators, environment, and community on fostering motivation to succeed and learn. Case studies and practical instruction will offer methods educators can utilize to develop persistence, grit, and self-efficacy in their students and trainees.