Daniel H. Pink, best selling author of “A Whole New Mind” and “Drive” suggests THREE ways to increase motivation in schools. Pink advocates autonomy, mastery and purpose instead of the tired, traditional carrot-and-stick methods.
Speaking at the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Conference in the U.S., Pink believes today’s management approaches in schools tend to be designed around compliance.
Based on his background in behavioural science Pink argues that schools and teachers should be more focused on engagement through self-direction.
For both students and teachers Pink advocates autonomy, mastery and purpose as key drivers.
Pink highlighted the importance of feedback and mastery. Teachers and students generally have the desire to do better but either receive no feedback or feedback that is too late in the process to be beneficial.
Whilst communicating the relevance of some class work to disengaged students can be challenging, the significance of the work that teachers do should also be highlighted.
Further motivation for teachers should come through emphasising the purpose and significance of their work. Pink said teachers have a ‘why’ bigger and more important than anyone in the country.
I wholeheartedly agree. For almost all members of society, their children are the most important things in the world. This is a double edged sword. Whilst it is a tremendous responsibility it is also a significant investment of trust. Parents not only entrust the welfare of their most prized possession to teachers, they also entrust them with their future. We need to continue to emphasise the BIG picture.
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