1st Reflection: Introduction to MMSEL

In the first meeting we discussed on what is motivation and did a  review on the theories of motivation. So, what is motivation? It is a goal-directed activity that involves the process which energizes, direct, and sustains behavior.  There are two types of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. I still remember that intrinsic motivation comes from self and extrinsic motivation comes from other  people or things around self. Both intrinsic and extinsic motivation affect each other to motivate someone. For example, I’m motivated to join singing cource when people say my voice is good. Then I become  motivated to sing even more because I want to be a singer. The first one is extrinsic motivation then it changes into intrinsic motivation.

There are four theories of motivation that we reviewed; Behavioural,  Humanistic, Sociocultural, and Cognitive & Socio cognitive theory.  Behavioural theory focus on behaviour that come from the experience in the environment. It’s emphasizes external rewards and punishments as  keys in determining student motivation. Humanistic theory emphasizes  on people’s attempt to fullfil their need as a human being. To foster students’ motivation through humanistic theory, teacher can create a safe classroom in order the students have freedom to share their opinion and thought. Sociocultural theory stresses people affiliation that involves establishing, maintaining, and restoring close personal relationships. The last one is cognitive and socio cognitive that focuses on students’ competence motivation, intrinsic motivation, attributions, and their beliefs.  

In classroom, motivation is really needed to create an effective learning. Teacher should know whether students are motivated with the lesson or not. Somehow, motivation can influence students achievement. I often feel it as a student. When I’m motivated to learn something, I  will learn it no mater what. Yet I don’t feel motivated about particular lesson, I don’t care whether I understand about it or not. However, sometimes high motivation ≠ high score. It’s because motivation emphasize on the process of sustain behavior. Score sometimes can’t be the reference of students motivation.