Motivating Students to Learn: An Overview of Literature in Educational Psychology

Abstract

One of the factors that drive students to gain knowledge and learn new things are motivation. Motivation and learning behaviour are two very important factors in determining students’ learning achievement. However, motivation is an abstract thing that is difficult to measure the willingness of students to learn. As such, greater knowledge in motivating student’s to learn is needed to help us to understand not only why students are motivated in learning but also ways to help teachers to further maintained student’s momentum in engaging with academic activities. This review article aimed to discuss the theories of motivation, highlights about ways to enhance the motivation in students’ achievement with some assistants from teachers and other people such as family and friends and how other motivations such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can also assist students to stay motivated. In summary, motivation is essential to encourage students to learn in the education system