One of the most difficult things to do as a teacher is motivate students.

This artifact is
included in my portfolio because it provides strategies that will help me to motivate my students.
Mathematics in grades 7-12 is not everyones favorite subject. In fact, some students will come
into my classroom with a strong distaste for math, Thus, I need to be able to motivate students to
want to learn the curriculum and gain necessary math skills. Many teachers believe that
motivation is limited to extrinsic rewards and gains. Although extrinsic motivation is helpful,
intrinsic motivation is much more powerful. If teachers can motivate students to learn without
offering some material reward, they have truly accomplished something great.
Theories that best support the use of motivation are those dealing with behaviorism. The
theorists behind these ideas include Skinner, Pavlov, Watson, and Thorndike. Behaviorism in
general states that people are conditioned to certain behaviors through the use of stimuli and
reinforcement. Using an extrinsic or intrinsic rewards system offers teachers the reinforcement
they need to get students to participate in class or complete their assignments.
From creating this artifact I have learned that motivating students is a vital tool teachers
need to have in their arsenal. Often times teachers will come across students that are unwilling
to learn and express disinterest in the course. In order to give these students the skills they need
to function in society, teachers need to be able to motivate them to learn these skills. Whether
they are motivated extrinsically or intrinsically, students will become excited about learning and
be sincerely interested in the subject you are teaching them.