Fostering Autonomous Motivation in Students

Welcome back to The Elements of Great Teaching, where we explore the essential elements that make great teaching impactful. In this fifth episode, Adam Kohlbeck and I turn our attention to Dimension 2: Creating a Supportive Environment, with a focus on Element 3: Promoting Learner Motivation from the Model for Great Teaching. Motivation is the driving force behind effective learning, and teachers play a key role in creating an environment that fosters it. In this episode, we discuss how to nurture student motivation by cultivating feelings of competence, autonomy, and relatedness—three essential psychological needs that fuel engagement and persistence in learning. What strategies do you use to motivate your students? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments or on social media. We’d love to hear how you bring this element to life in your classroom! Listen below.