Intrinsic motivation in the classroom

Motivation plays a significant role in a student’s learning and development. It is part of teachers’ pedagogy to develop in students the desire for new knowledge and understandings, known as intrinsic motivation. All students are unique; educators, through implementing a variety of motivational techniques, can have considerable influence on students’ participation and self-expression. Individual teachers have the capability of making learning empowering, thus allowing the energy of the classroom to be filled with excitement and anticipation. The purpose of this paper is to examine my own understandings of the importance of intrinsic motivation within the classroom, as it applies to pre-service teachers. It is important for pre-service teachers to think about ways to motivate students in the classroom, as part of the process of developing lifelong learners and to develop effective practice.