Students who get behind are often labeled as "unmotivated" or "having a bad attitude." In fact, their behaviour is a response to the situation that they have found themselves in during the class time. Socially (or at recess) they see themselves as equal or superior to their peers. During class time, they do not see any way out of the hole that they have dug for themselves.
Why are they unmotivated?
It is easier and more comfortable to do nothing and fail than
try to jump out of the hole that they have found themselves
in.
solution:
0utline a specific plan that will step by step move them out of the position that they find themselves in. They cannot get out in one big jump.
e.g.
-
- You can rewrite that chapter test that you failed for a better mark.
- Get caught up on the notes that you are missing in your notebook.
- This is how to study for the next chapter's test.
Why do they have a bad attitude?
The social behaviours that suit them well on the playground
and gain them status and acceptance with their peers are not
acceptable in the classroom. They try to bring what is successful
for them outside of the class into the classroom.
solution:
make it clear what type of behaviour will gain them status in the classroom. Do not allow them to "have the stage" in front of their peers. If they keep looking for an audience, either remove them from the audience or move the audience.
Both of these behaviours occur when the problems a student encounters seem insurmountable. A tutor's job is to provide the support, the help and the plan that convinces the student that he or she can be successful.
Motivating the unmotivated student
Follow a specific plan when you want to motivate a student you are working with. They will respond to a definite program rather than a "get off your butt and do it!" speech. The following points will help:
- State your expectations. Tell them what you want to have accomplished by the end of a certain time period.
- Establish a performance standard. Define what is unacceptable work and what is acceptable. This can be neatness or point form vs. paragraph form.
- Praise good work. Let them know when they have reached the standards or exceeded the standards that you have set.
- Ask for their input. Get them to state how they can better complete the work that you have assigned.
Having students praise themselves
Students are motivated by deserved praise, but often this goes unrecognized in the busy flow of a classroom. Teach the students to take the time to praise themselves. This takes practice but can be done in the following easy steps.
- I praise myself as soon as I have done something right.
- I tell myself specifically what I did right.
- I tell myself how good I feel about what I did right.
- I encourage myself to continue the same good behaviour.