Working with motivation

Яровая Алла Петровна

The most important skill is teaching your pupils to study themselves. If you want to help somebody- teach him how to fish. Teach him to gain knowledge on his own.

You should teach your students, how to use useful resources. Don't treat students down. There are useful applications and cites, for example: Disney, Netflix, Prime video, Wordwall etc. 

You should share not only the sources, but techniques of remembering (Vocabularies, what to do with new words), to teach so that the students can use these technologies in real life. 

For example:                                                                                                                                                                        If you have learned a new word- make a phrase (a collocation), then make a sentence. (A crocodile: Is a crocodile a reptile or a mammal? 

Many of our students are excellent independent learners, with good self-study skills. Learning to manage your own time, do your homework, and go back over tricky topics are essentials skills to take forward into both higher education and adult life. To help you out on journey to supporting your child to learn and grow independently, we should use these ten top tips:

1. Get a planner. A weekly planner or diary is a great way of keeping track of homework deadlines. Write it down on the date that it was set, and then write down the deadline on the day, that it is due in. If you cross it off or tick it off when it is completed, then a quick glance over the pages will show you what is left to do- it is easy!

2. Grab a post-it note and scribble down a note every time you vome across something you do not quite understand- a word, maths problem, or concept. Then you can goover it afterwards, until you understand it, so no gaps in your knowledge are left untackled. 

3. Teach a parent or a guardian. If there is a topic or idea that is difficult, try explaining  it to a parent or guardian. You can get as creative as possible- use songs, powerpoint, or drawings to help. This is also a great way of keeping in touch with your child's learning, whilst empoewering them to show you what they have learned. 

4. Encourage them to ask for help. Learning is a two-way process, where teachers support students to develop their knowledge and skills. Build up their confidence to ask questions when they don’t understand, to pursue complete understanding. Encourage them to ask for help, whether it be of a teacher, friend, or relative. Asking for support shows that they are taking responsibility for their own learning, identifying gaps in it, and problem solving this by asking for help. These are skills to take forward into adult life and will teach them to take control of their learning.

5. Keep those files organised. Tidy desk, tidy mind. Keeping files organised, both on a computer, and physical files of printouts and written work makes learning much easier. Work is quick and easy to find, and it means a clear and complete record is kept of everything. Encourage your child to do this themselves, and to take pride in the hard work and effort they have put into their studies.

6. Get creative learning about the world.  “Education is not the filling of a pail, it is the lighting of a fire” (William Yeats). Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom, and a good education should be a lifelong curiosity about the world. Encourage your child to pursue their interests and develop their skills outside the classroom, and take ownership of their interests. Why not visit the local library or bookshop, ask them what museum they are interested in, visit a science exhibition, check out the educational toys section, watch a documentary, watch some YouTube clips? Let them lead, and nurture their curiosity about the world.

7. Have interesting conversations.  Discuss ideas with your children and encourage them to develop their own opinions. Ask them what they think about issues, ideas, or concepts, or give them a chance to go and look it up, and then discuss it again. This could be to do with the news, popular debate topics, or anything you think is relevant. This encourages independent creative thought and judgement and shows them that if they are to have an opinion, being informed and looking it up can further discussion. Why not ask them to look up three opinions on one side, and three on the other, to ensure a balanced viewpoint.

8. Let them make mistakes.  It can be very easy to want to interfere when you can see that your child is about to make a mistake, be it missing a deadline, or failing to understand a topic. While it is natural to want to help, this can prevent them from learning how to solve the problem themselves, as they will never learn how to do so without you. Let them fail and support them to problem solve ways to prevent it happening again. For example, ‘Why do you think you missed that homework deadline?’, ‘What do you think you could do differently next time”. Here you are gently encouraging them to think for themselves and develop strategies that work for them to problem solve. Framing these moments as opportunities to learn and persevere, instead of blaming children for failing encourages a growth mindset, and the ability to see every shortcoming as a chance to learn and become better.

9. Give them responsibility. Giving students responsibility can grow their self-esteem and self-worth, as they realise just how capable they really are. Encourage them to be responsible for their own study and learning, as you gradually take steps back, and reward this. You will see them grow in pride as they take control of their education.

10. Help them out and be there.  As well as giving your child responsibility, there will be times too where they just need help! Much of school learning happens outside the classroom, where a parent or guardian explains or supports learning, or sometimes one-to-one tuition with a tutor. If they have reached out and are struggling, give them the help that they need to boost their confidence, instead of leaving them struggling to understand something they just cannot figure out. When they know you are always there to support them, they will keep you involved with what is going on at school, enabling you to spot when they need extra help.

In conclusion, maintaining motivation throughout the students' academic journey is a dynamic process that demands dedication, perseverance, and a proactive approach to managing both successes and setbacks. Setting clear and realistic goals will help to give a pathway to success, allowing one to turn overwhelming tasks into manageable bits with observable incremental progress that allows for readjustments. The organization helps in optimizing the study environment and time management, hence reducing stress while maximizing productivity. Leaning on teachers, friends, or mentors cultivates a collaborative learning environment where problems can be jointly solved and experiences shared. Further, staying positive through the odds will be imprinted in you as a sense of resilience in the spirit to help you drive harder to beat off obstacles. Remember that motivation does not really stay the same, and wanting adjustments and support along the way is perfectly normal. If applied with an empowered mindset and adaptability, these strategies will help you and the students confidently navigate complex school life and resiliently strive through all odds while being successful in the education.