The biggest classroom management issue I’ve encountered in the art classroom is lack of student motivation. Art making requires a lot of time and enthusiasm, and if a student doesn’t want to do any work, it’s likely they won’t finish in time or have a final product that looks rushed. There are all sorts of reasons why a student doesn’t feel motivated, but regardless of reason, the educator is going to be the main influence on students becoming remotivated to work. Student encouragement is crucial, but knowing your students well is going to be more beneficial. Knowing the individual needs of each student, an effective teacher should be able to balance attention and encouragement for every individual. The art room can be a safe haven for students, where the atmosphere can be more relaxing from the rest of their complex lives. Sometimes students need to be in the art room not working. I’ve talked to teachers about this problem, and I’ve been told that usually you just have to let them not work, and just be sure to be consistently encouraging them. Most of the lack of motivation I’ve encountered personally is lack of interest. I haven’t taught in a situation where students were graded, and I feel like that aspect will help increase low student motivation, to some extent. I’m excited about student teaching to observe the differences between the affects of an academic environment versus the afterschool activities I’ve taught.
I thought our students were motivated. I just didn't think they kept the deadline in mind. Perhaps we should have given them a calendar. That may have helped.
ReplyDeleteYou have some great ideas on how to help keep your students motivated. Sometimes though, all the encouragement in the world won't make the students more motivated. Getting to know them on a more personal will be really critical in helping students succeed.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that motivation is tricky subject. It is something that I worry about because I feel if a student doesn't want to work it will be hard to change their mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the above. I think student motivation has a lot to do with not only the student, but a student's home life. Art has the capability to keep students in school--think about it. However, teachers must encourage that positive relationship and I think that is key. Today, students are becoming more and more preoccupied with their cell phones and social networking. How can we shift their focus back to art making?
ReplyDeleteI had this same problem, I think we all did at least one day. I didn't feel like they ever grasped what it meant when I would say we only have X many classes left so we really need to get going. That was followed by a shrug and ok, then no change. I totally agree motivation is one of the hardest things to do in a classroom, and encouraging them to work is one of the greatest things we can do to try to motivate them.
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