Speaking of Motivation…

The word motivation usually goes with these two words: intrinsic or extrinsic, especially in the world of teaching.

According to Carl Rogers’ humanistic theory, one may be said to have intrinsic motivation when their motivation comes from within without thinking about any kind of external reward.

How many of us have intrinsic motivation at all times?

What about extrinsic motivation? What are we motivated by? Are we motivated by what we are motivated by all the time or are we motivated by different things at different times? What rewards or punishments affect our motivation?

Success, achievements, money, medals, diplomas, a pat on the shoulder, praises, a pay rise or the hope for a promotion. Are we motivated by negative sources such as the fear of failure, punishment, low grades, harsh criticism that comes from someone we value? In order words, sticks or carrots?
More about Carl Rogers and his theories can be found at http://www.panarchy.org/rogers/learning.html

Burcu Akyol was asking in her blog post http://burcuakyol.com/2010/12/my-job-is-not-what-i-do-it-is-who-i-am/ about people who do their jobs not so willingly and inviting them to follow the motto “love it or leave it”. I have a theory about that…

Let’s just think for a second: think about all the waiters, taxi drivers, stewards, green grocers, sales assistants, etc you have met all through your life. How many of them were smiling at you, and making you  know that they were actually enjoying what they were doing and they were doing whatever they were doing exceptionally well. I bet you the percentage would not be higher than 10-15%. Teachers or students are no exception.

My humble theory is the whole world; all the businesses and institutions survive thanks to these exceptionally good people. Most people just get bye.

What makes these exceptionally good people different then?  Nice tips can be found in this link http://www.positive-thinking-for-you.com/motivational.html

Scott Thornbury is referring to a writing program which has the principle of ‘less is more’ in his blog by saying….. that effective writing instruction involves simply:

  • motivating students to want to practice and improve….

The key word here is to WANT…

Leo Buscaglia I’d like to finish with Dr. Leo Buscaglia’s thoughts about learning and teaching from his book “Living, Loving and Learning (p.6): “No teacher has taught anything to anyone.  People learn themselves.  If we look at the word “educator” it comes from the Latin “educare” meaning to lead, to guide.  That’s what it means, to guide, to be enthusiastic yourself, to understand yourself and to put this stuff before others…”

I admire these great educators who gave us the inspiration by being themselves and letting us be ourselves and who motivated us to WANT to improve ourselves.