Motivating Pupils Essay

343 Words2 Pages
Motivation, “This is one of the greatest influences on learning. The will to achieve can overcome many physical and social handicaps. When one becomes bored, or other interests take over, it is difficult to concentrate or persevere….One of the skills TA’s develop is finding out what interests a reluctant pupil and building upon that…Another skill is being able to repeat a task but change it slightly to create interest, while retaining the learning objective.” (Watkinson, A, 2009 The Essential Guide For Experienced Teaching Assistants P90) Why? 1. Create positive atmosphere, making learning enjoyable, interesting leading to good attitudes to learning and behaviour promoting focus on activity, “Positive feedback for positive behaviour can make an enormous difference to the atmosphere of the school, and to pupils concentration levels and learning abilities” (Kamen, T 2006 Teaching Assistant’s Handbook, 2006 P35) 2. To overcome lack of concentration, increase attention span, sustain interest and effort, prevent boredom and encourage staying on task. 3. To encourage active participation, discouraging idle chatter disrupting others. 4. To hold interest when activities too easy or too difficult, when child unwell or unsettled. 5. To foster independent learning, increase self esteem, confidence and co-operation – especially important for SEN whose abilities are behind peers. 6. To enable all pupils, regardless of ability, to experience success and not fear failure. 7. Lack of motivation is a barrier to effective learning! How? To successfully motivate groups will need to support quieter children, and control input from more confident or knowledgeable pupils, include everyone in group discussions, acknowledge all contributions, give reassurance all views are valuable. “if you make children feel anxious when they have not succeeded they will avoid
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