Helping to develop motivation and provide inspiration

Motivation and inspiration are important for a number of reasons:

  1. Improved learning outcomes: learners are more likely to be engaged and focused on their learning
  2. Increased job satisfaction: learners are more likely to be satisfied with their job and career
  3. Enhanced patient care: learners are more likely to provide the best possible care to their patients
  4. Personal development: learners are more likely to take on new challenges and seek out new learning opportunities
Motivate and inspire
Motivate and inspire

How to motivate and inspire learners

There are several strategies that work based practice educators and line managers can use to motivate and inspire learners:

  1. Set clear goals and objectives: to provide learners with a sense of direction and purpose
  2. Encourage self-directed learning: through activities such as problem-based learning, case studies, and simulations.
  3. Foster a positive learning environment: through regular feedback and support, a collaborative atmosphere, and the use of technology to enhance learning.
  4. Use a variety of teaching methods: including lectures, hands-on training, and online resources
  5. Recognise and reward achievements: using certificates, praise, and opportunities for advancement.

We can also support learners better by having a better understanding of what motivation fundamentally is and using well understood theories to inform our development practice. 

Self-determination theory

Self-determination theory is a psychological theory that explains how people are motivated to engage in certain behaviours. It suggests that people are more motivated and engaged when they feel that their actions are aligned with their values and goals, and that they have control over their own lives.

Three core principles at the heart of self-determination theory:

Autonomy

Autonomy refers to the degree to which people feel that they have control over their own lives and actions. According to self-determination theory, people are more motivated when they feel that they have a high level of autonomy.

Competence

Competence refers to the feeling of being capable and effective in one’s actions. According to self-determination theory, people are more motivated when they feel competent in what they are doing.

Relatedness:

Relatedness refers to the feeling of being connected to others and feeling like one belongs. According to self-determination theory, people are more motivated when they feel connected to others and a sense of belonging.

By fostering a sense of autonomy and control, educators can help learners feel more self-determined and motivated to engage in their learning. This can be achieved through things like:

  1. Providing learners with choices and options: can help to increase their sense of autonomy and control
  2. Encouraging self-reflection: can help learners to feel more connected to their learning
  3. Providing feedback and support: can help to build their self-confidence and sense of control
  4. Encouraging collaboration: can help learners to feel more connected to their peers and more motivated to engage in their learning

Understanding self-determination theory can help educators to create learning environments that are more motivating and engaging for learners.

Read this

This paper on Self Determination Theory and motivation in students expected autonomy to be the key motivational factor and found that relatedness was more important.

If you are interested to explore more about SDT the Centre for Self Determination Theory is a good place to start

Watch this

This animated version of Dan Pink’s talk on motivation explores how traditional motivational approaches are not effective in the modern world. Pink argues that the key to motivation is autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Autonomy refers to the ability to have control over one’s own work. Mastery refers to the desire to get better at something. Purpose refers to the desire to do something that has meaning and purpose.