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12. You can't motivate students: they motivate themselves!

Mindly Team

Created on September 23, 2025

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Transcript

00:15

hello !

I am Brainy and I am here to guide you through this activity. First, a small quiz will be proposed to discover what you know about the topic we will address.

Next, you will watch a video, prepared by experts, which will help deepen your understanding of the key concepts.

Finally, a second quiz will allow you to check everything you have learned, accompanied by a series of tips to help you implement these educational tools.

Let's go, we start!

00:15

You can't motivate students: they motivate themselves!

Quiz

BEFORE

Here is a 10 question quiz to explore together the perceptions we have about motivation.

STARTER

1/10

QUIZ before

2/10

Quiz before

Among these options, which ones promote a motivating climate?

3/10

Quiz before

Match each keyword to the correct pillar

Keyword

Clear objectives

Sense of effectiveness

Choice of activities

4/10

QUIZ before

5/10

QUIZ before

In your opinion, what demotivates a student in class? Choose the answers that seem relevant to you (multiple correct answers possible):

6/10

Quiz before

Which sentence shows a motivating posture?

7/10

QUIZ before

8/10

QUIZ before

Autonomy in class develops through:

9/10

QUIZ before

10/10

QUIZ before

In your opinion, what mistakes can professionals make when they think "motivate" their students? Choose the statements that seem to be common mistakes (multiple answers possible)

QUIZ before

Quiz

AFTER

Here is a 10 question quiz based on the video you just watched.

START

1/10

quiz afterward

2/10

QUIZ afterward

What pedagogical strategies support the sense of competence in students?

3/10

QUIZ after

Match each example to its motivational lever:

EXAMPLE

“Today we will see how math can help us understand an estimate.”

“You have made progress in this part, keep it up.”

“You can choose to present your project orally or in writing.”

4/10

QUIZ después

5/10

QUIZ afterward

What are the ingredients of a motivating classroom climate?

6/10

QUIZ afterward

7/10

QUIZ afterward

What can be said about the "râle" in class?

8/10

QUIZ after

9/10

QUIZ afterward

Match each quote to its pedagogical meaning:

QUOTE

“We only commit sustainably to what we understand.”

“It’s because we succeed a little that we accept to try again.”

“The student can only develop as a subject if they can make choices.”

10/10

QUIZ after

What effect(s) can explicitly explaining learning objectives at the beginning of a session have?

QUIZ after

Choice without Frame

Motivation in the Child

Choice with Frame

Pedagogical Compass

TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Start each session with a “pedagogical compass”

Break down tasks to make successes visible

Install motivating and predictable rituals

Offer framed choices

Value effort, not just the result

ONLINE RESOURCES

“Five ways to boost student motivation” - American Psychological Association

“The role of motivation in learning” - Claire Chuter - The Education Hub

“How to Motivate Students: 12 Classroom Tips & Examples” - Positive Psychology

“10 Tips for Staying Motivated in School” - ASPCC

“Lack of Academic Motivation” - Jane Tholstrup

See you soon for new challenges!

“How to Motivate Students: 12 Classroom Tips & Examples” - Positive Psychology

Effective student motivation depends on recognizing each student’s interests and establishing clear, attainable goals that have personal meaning. Promoting a growth mindset builds resilience and determination, enabling students to view challenges as valuable learning experiences.

Start each session with a “pedagogical compass”

Clearly explain the day's objective: “Today, we will learn to... because it will help us to...” ➡️ This gives meaning and engages from the start.

Motivation in children

Motivation is the inner energy that drives the child to act, learn, and persevere. It determines interest, effort, and the duration of engagement in an activity. Motivation is built, varies, and depends on the context.

Pedagogical compass

The pedagogical compass is a metaphor used to represent the fundamental principles that guide teaching and student support practices. Just as a compass helps to keep the course, it serves to maintain focus on the core values and objectives in pedagogy. Clearly explain the day's objective: “Today, we will learn to... because it will help us to...”  ➡️ This gives meaning and engages from the start.

Install motivating and predictable rituals

For example: a challenge of the day, a daily question, a one-minute self-assessment at the end, or a playful anchoring activity. ➡️ This ensures safety, creates positive anticipation, and structures autonomy.

Choice with framework

Frame the choice: The framework structures the environment and provides reassuring landmarks + It helps to channel freedom so that the choice is meaningful and accessible + It allows the student to feel safe while developing their autonomy + It promotes informed decision-making. Providing choice with a framework: Limit options: offer 2 to 3 relevant and level-appropriate choices + Clarify rules: specify what is expected, any constraints + Support the decision: guide the student by asking questions + Value the choice: acknowledge the decision made, encourage + Adapt according to the student: some will need more support than others.

Offer guided choices

Let students choose between two supports, roles, or formats (written/oral, work alone/in pairs). ➡️ This supports their autonomy while maintaining a structuring framework.

“10 Tips for Staying Motivated in School” - ASPCC

Education is a journey marked by complex challenges and various achievements, where motivation plays a crucial role in academic success and personal growth. Students facing heavy workloads, multiple responsibilities, and life’s obstacles must sustain consistent motivation to overcome these demands.

“The role of motivation in learning” - Claire Chuter - The Education Hub

Motivation, as the term implies, is what drives us to act. It is the underlying reason behind all our actions. For teachers, student lack of motivation has consistently been a major challenge to effective learning. Although motivation might seem straightforward at first, extensive research has explored and defined it from various perspectives.

“Five ways to boost student motivation” - American Psychological Association

One of the greatest challenges in teaching is motivating students. Furthermore, the shift to remote learning caused by COVID-19 (Fong, 2022) may have worsened students’ already declining motivation, even as the “new normal” has taken hold. Despite these decreases, some educators may still hold the view that students are entirely responsible for their own motivation.

Choice without structure

Giving choice without structure can lead to: Disorientation: Some students, especially the younger or struggling ones, may feel lost with too many options + Anxiety: The lack of clear landmarks creates insecurity + Discouragement: Without limits, they do not know what to prioritise and risk doing nothing + Procrastination: Too many choices can paralyse decision-making. Giving choice with structure: an essential balance.

Divide tasks to make successes visible

Break down activities into intermediate steps with regular feedback. ➡️ This reinforces the sense of competence and prevents discouragement.

“Lack of Academic Motivation” - Jane Tholstrup

This video addresses the issue of low academic motivation, encouraging self-reflection as a way to overcome it, while also offering strategies schools can use to boost student motivation. Jane, a senior at Pittsburg High School, shares her perspective.

Value effort, not just the result

Say: “You persevered despite the difficulty” or “You dared to try another strategy”. ➡️ This promotes a growth mindset and maintains motivation even in case of error.