Develop an encouraging environment for students: 3 ways to motivate students in both offline and online classes Students empowerment: strategies for motivating learners in traditional and virtual classrooms

Rawan Essam

Motivation is the fuel for everything, especially in learning. According to a study, motivation is defined as a psychological term that stems from the desire of wanting something and gives fuel as a drive to continue pursuing the desire. Motivation can have a positive impact on students’ academic performance, which guarantees consistency in learning (1). 

On one hand, the lack of motivation in learning can lead to low grades, school absenteeism, missed opportunities for higher education, mood swings, and other negative consequences. The absence of motivation can hit any learner, as studies state that students who are burned out are more likely to lose motivation. They state that 79% of college students and 40% of high school students have reported feeling unmotivated (2)(3). 

Student motivation strategies in off/online classes

Tutors must search for ways to motivate their students to guarantee the best academic achievement. Here are some examples of strategies they should adapt in the teaching journey. 

1- Become a role model for student interest 

The teacher is the reflection of his presentation, so the presentation or the PowerPoint must be entertaining, covering every aspect of the lesson, containing games, encouraging critical thinking, and providing a space for discussion. The teacher has to keep the students busy and engaged. The educator’s enthusiasm and passion influence the students to be motivated because they get the teacher’s energy. Therefore , they can interact with it. 

2- Get to know your students 

Teachers have to know that each student has a different social, emotional, and academic background. Instructor role is to accept their diversity and embrace their differences, regardless of their academic levels. To invest his love in them, to give them faith in themselves that they can do anything. A study proves that understanding students on a personal level allows teachers to create a supportive environment that boosts autonomy, relevance, relatedness, competence, and self-efficacy in students (4). 

3- Create a reward system 

People’s nature tends to love rewards; students put rewards for themselves when they finish their task. So, rewards are fuel that motivates students to do their best. A study asserts that rewards are seen as beneficial tools to reinforce behavior and strengthen student engagement. Educators have to take the rewards into consideration. As setting clear classroom rules makes a difference, indicating which behaviors are going to be rewarded, such as getting the full mark or increasing participation in the class, it's important to make rewards more appealing (5). 

In conclusion, motivation is the key to guaranteeing consistency and success. It can be achievable in many ways, such as when  the teacher can  be a role model for his students and have a good impression on them, knowing the students and encouraging them, or creating a reward system for students to increase their motivation.