University of Kwazulu-Natal

Improve Student Motivation With These 20 Ideas Teachthought

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
improve student motivation with these 20 ideas teachthought

The best lessons, books, and materials in the world won’t get students excited about learning and willing to work hard if they’re not motivated. Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in students’ success at all stages of their education, and teachers can play a pivotal role in providing and encouraging that motivation in their students. Of course, that’s easier said than done, as all students are motivated differently and it takes time and a lot of effort to learn to get a classroom full of kids enthusiastic about learning,... Even the most well-intentioned and educated teachers sometimes find it difficult to keep kids on track. Whether you’re a new teacher or an experienced one, try using these methods to improve student motivation and encourage them to live up to their true potential. While guidance from a teacher is important to keeping kids on task and motivated, allowing students to have some choice and control over what happens in the classroom is one of the best ways...

For example, allowing students to choose the type of assignment they do or which problems to work on can give them a sense of control that may just motivate them to do more. It can be very frustrating for students to complete an assignment or even to behave in class if the objectives aren’t clearly defined. Students want and need to know what is expected of them in order to stay motivated to work. At the beginning of the year, lay out clear objectives, rules, and expectations so that there is no confusion and students have goals to work towards. When the bell rings, you know instantly whether the day will glide or grind. Some classes lean in, eyes bright; others slump, phones creeping from pockets.

That gap nearly always comes down to motivation—something you can influence. Below you’ll find 20 classroom-proven strategies that consistently boost student motivation, engagement, and achievement across grade levels. They don’t require expensive programs or marathon planning sessions—just small, intentional moves grounded in research and refined by working teachers. Whether you teach kindergarten centers, AP physics, or anything in between, you’ll walk away with ideas you can implement tomorrow morning. Scan the list, pick one or two tactics that fit your style, and watch participation jump without the usual tug-of-war. Let’s get straight to the tips.

Pressed for time? Start with quick wins—greet students at the door, celebrate micro-successes, and turn drills into mini-games. Ready for deeper change? Try goal-setting conferences, peer mentoring, or a project that links the unit standard to a real community problem. The menu is flexible, but the outcome is the same: students who see purpose, feel capable, and choose to engage. The fastest-acting strategies for student motivation start with human connection.

When learners feel seen and valued by the adult in the room, they’re far more willing to attempt hard work, ask questions, and risk a wrong answer. Motivating students transforms the classroom into an exciting, engaging, and rewarding environment. When students are motivated, they participate more, understand better, and develop confidence. Here’s your teacher’s guide to 20 impactful strategies that inspire students, foster a positive learning atmosphere, and build a lasting love for learning. Help students understand that (effort leads to success). Teach them the power of saying “I’ll try” instead of “I can’t.” Encourage resilience by reinforcing that improvement is possible with hard work.

Teaching Tip: Share stories of people who succeeded through perseverance, like Thomas Edison. Ask students, “What’s one thing you’d like to improve?” Call to Action: Help students set small, achievable goals, and celebrate their growth along the way. Take time to know each student by name, learning about their passions, goals, and dreams. Personal connection shows you care, boosting trust and engagement. Teaching Tip: Start each day with a quick question like, “What’s one thing you’re excited about today?” Quote: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – John... Build a welcoming space where students feel (safe to share ideas) and respected.

When they know it’s okay to make mistakes, they take risks and grow. Teaching Tip: Praise effort openly, not just results. Encourage students to learn from mistakes as part of growth. Question: How can creating a positive environment impact student confidence? Call to Action: Offer constructive feedback and build a supportive classroom culture. Be explicit with learning goals and classroom rules.

When students know what’s expected and where they’re heading, they feel more motivated and focused. Teaching Tip: Write daily goals on the board so students have a clear path to follow. Quote: “A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar Call to Action: Create a roadmap for students by setting daily objectives they can work toward. Imagine walking into a classroom where every student’s eyes light up, hands shoot up eagerly, and the buzz of curiosity fills the air. Sounds like a dream, right? But here’s a surprising fact: student engagement drops from 74% in elementary school to just 33% by high school (Gallup).

So how do we keep that spark alive and even reignite it when it flickers? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 19 proven strategies to boost both student engagement and motivation—backed by science, seasoned educators’ insights, and real classroom success stories. From leveraging technology like Kahoot! and Flipgrid to creating inclusive cultures and mastering the art of timely feedback, you’ll get actionable tips to transform your teaching and energize your students. Ready to turn your classroom into a powerhouse of motivation?

Let’s get started! Ready to ignite your classroom? Keep reading for the full playbook! Welcome to the heart of every thriving classroom: student engagement and motivation! Before we dive deep, here are some quick nuggets from the trenches at Teacher Strategies™ to get you fired up: Want more?

Keep scrolling—we’re just getting started! For a deep dive into teaching methods that boost engagement, check out our Teaching Methods and Strategies article. Discover effective strategies on how to motivate students with practical tips and techniques. Learn how to build confidence, get results, and inspire a love for learning in every student. Motivating students can be a challenge, but it is essential for their success. When students are motivated, they engage more deeply, learn more effectively, and perform better.

As an educator, your role in fostering motivation is critical. This guide provides practical tips and techniques to keep students motivated and enthusiastic about learning. However, before we get into some actionable tips, it’s important to understand what drives student motivation. Motivation is driven by a complex interplay of factors that include individual psychological needs, environmental influences, and social contexts. Research in psychology and education highlights several key drivers of motivation that impact students’ engagement and learning: by James Burns | Nov 26, 2016 | Bully Proof Classroom, James Burns, Motivation

The best lessons, books, and materials in the world won’t get students excited about learning and willing to work hard if they’re not motivated. Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in the success of students at all stages of their education, and teachers can play a pivotal role in providing and encouraging that motivation in... Of course that’s much easier said than done, as all students are motivated differently and it takes time and a lot of effort to learn to get a classroom full of kids enthusiastic about... Even the most well-intentioned and educated teachers sometimes lack the skills to keep kids on track, so whether you’re a new teacher or an experienced one, try using these methods to motivate your students... 21 Simple Ideas To Improve Student Motivation Thank you so much for this informative and interesting article .

Very educative and interesting thank a lot for the article Dear Dr. Tiffany, many thanks for this very useful article.

People Also Search

The Best Lessons, Books, And Materials In The World Won’t

The best lessons, books, and materials in the world won’t get students excited about learning and willing to work hard if they’re not motivated. Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in students’ success at all stages of their education, and teachers can play a pivotal role in providing and encouraging that motivation in their students. Of course, that’s easier said than done, ...

For Example, Allowing Students To Choose The Type Of Assignment

For example, allowing students to choose the type of assignment they do or which problems to work on can give them a sense of control that may just motivate them to do more. It can be very frustrating for students to complete an assignment or even to behave in class if the objectives aren’t clearly defined. Students want and need to know what is expected of them in order to stay motivated to work....

That Gap Nearly Always Comes Down To Motivation—something You Can

That gap nearly always comes down to motivation—something you can influence. Below you’ll find 20 classroom-proven strategies that consistently boost student motivation, engagement, and achievement across grade levels. They don’t require expensive programs or marathon planning sessions—just small, intentional moves grounded in research and refined by working teachers. Whether you teach kindergarte...

Pressed For Time? Start With Quick Wins—greet Students At The

Pressed for time? Start with quick wins—greet students at the door, celebrate micro-successes, and turn drills into mini-games. Ready for deeper change? Try goal-setting conferences, peer mentoring, or a project that links the unit standard to a real community problem. The menu is flexible, but the outcome is the same: students who see purpose, feel capable, and choose to engage. The fastest-actin...

When Learners Feel Seen And Valued By The Adult In

When learners feel seen and valued by the adult in the room, they’re far more willing to attempt hard work, ask questions, and risk a wrong answer. Motivating students transforms the classroom into an exciting, engaging, and rewarding environment. When students are motivated, they participate more, understand better, and develop confidence. Here’s your teacher’s guide to 20 impactful strategies th...