Stacey Hansen

Professor Klumper
Article Study
9/9/2015
How to Sustain Students Motivation in a Learning Environment
The article written by Mart discuss how motivation is one of the leading problems in
education and is still an ongoing issue for teachers. Mart explains steps on how motivation can
be strong in a classroom and in return create a successful classroom atmosphere. According to
Jere Brophy, Student motivation to learn is an acquired competence developed through general
experience but stimulated most directly through modeling, communication of expectations, and
direct instruction or socialization by others (especially parents or teachers)(1987). Relating from
the quote above, without motivation in a classroom, educators cannot expect students to have
interest for the topic or to even learn or obtain new knowledge over material presented in a
classroom.
The article expresses how every student learns differently, but a task a teacher must
conquer this by providing multiple instructional and personality choices to make a positive
impact on student motivation. A problem most teachers have is finding a way to play a vital role
in influencing students motivation in school. This can be done by stimulating material through
modeling, communication of expectations and direct instruction or socialization by others. Also,
this can be done by explaining motivational keys in your syllabus provided at the beginning of a
school year. Lastly, information shared in the article deals with teacher practice activities or
homework. A teacher must create assignments that are appropriately challenging, and relevant to
both the content learned in class and to the outside world. With all of these components of
motivation present in a classroom, it creates a successful classroom atmosphere that promotes
learning and growth throughout a course of a year.
I thought the article was appealing in a way of how motivation plays such a key role in a
students education success. I have always heard about how engaging students is the most
important aspect to success in a classroom, but I believe motivation is, too. Without motivation
present, engagement isnt present or isnt as strong as it would be with the motivational aspect.
Students who are not motivated will not learn effectively. The hardest part of teaching is getting

the students out of the I dont care phase. A teacher needs to interrupt this cycle and alter
perceptions by orchestrating positive academic experiences in the classroom. The article had
descriptive examples for teachers on how to motivate students by practice or homework
assignments and incorporating students interest into lesson. In return, this means that teachers
need to be an epitome of enthusiasm in classroom to motivate students. In a classroom with
motivation present it directs behavior, increases effort and energy, increase initiation and
persistence of activities and enhances cognitive processing.