Student motivation is shaped over time beyond your classroom by both individual and contextual factors. Students are constantly making decisions on how much time and effort to allot to various interests and responsibilities. When approaching their courses, they consider if they can complete the tasks, whether they want to, and what the costs may be. Many of these factors are outside your control as the instructor.
However, you can create motivational supports for students to succeed in your course. Boosting students’ feelings of competence, highlighting the relevance of course material and assignments, and sparking learners’ curiosity will all help to increase their motivation.
Competence
One strategy for boosting their sense of competence is scaffolding. Match tasks for students’ current skill levels to create experiences of small successes. Completing components and seeing their colleagues succeed will build their confidence. Provide feedback on these tasks that not only praises the particular performance but also stresses opportunities to improve and expand.
Another strategy is to increase their autonomy. Let students make choices about topics, formats, or their learning process. Point out where there is flexibility in the course and where it is their responsibility to meet deadlines and other set expectations. Some students may not be used to working on their own time, so they may need additional support. Try allowing them the option to make progress on individual tasks, such as writing research proposals during class sessions or in optional supervised settings like office hours.
Relevance
Explaining the connections within the course is especially important in online modalities. Use announcements or overviews to connect current work to previous topics and the overall course course. Transparency in course design can help students know why each course element is important.
Another way to increase the relevance of the course content is to connect it to the world beyond your course and students’ future goals. Show them real-world applications and ask them to make connections to their own experience.
Curiosity
One way to spark learners’ curiosity is to enhance the sense of your course as a learning community. Include your personal interest in the material, and encourage students to connect with one another. Incorporating games or low-stakes ways to play with new information is one way to encourage connection.
Teach students to ask good questions. You might foster this by requiring questions to be incorporated into discussion posts or having students submit questions for assignments. Demonstrate the process of information discovery in your field to show the importance of asking questions beyond what is covered in the course.
ICYMI
If you want to learn more about this topic, check out the recording from last week’s workshop on Increasing Student Motivation in Online Courses, led by Digital Learning Strategist Leslie Fuller, Ph.D.
Upcoming Events
Quick Hits: Utilizing New Analytics in Canvas
Thursday, September 26, 3:30pm-4:00pm
Join this training to learn more about utilizing New Analytics and access insightful data about student behavior in your Canvas course! Whether you have a specific question about New Analytics or want part of this tool demonstrated, this training is your opportunity to learn more about this insightful and time-saving tool. When registering, choose whether to have a specific topic covered, enter your question, or both.
Facilitated by John Dickinson, IT Services Specialist.
Registration:Quick Hits: Utilize New Analytics in Canvas.
How to Deter Online Cheating through Course Design
Wednesday, October 2, 1:30-2:30pm
Join this training to learn more about deterring cheating through effective course design! This training will cover information about why students cheat and how to design assignments and courses in Canvas that increase motivation for online students. If you have a specific question you want covered during this training, please enter it when you register.
Facilitated by Millie Tullis, Digital Learning Strategist.
Registration: How to Deter Online Cheating through Course Design.
Clemson Online Fall 2024 Events Calendar
Review our Fall 2024 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
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