Ever wish your students were more motivated? If you’re like most of us, you have tried an array of rewards and punishments to motivate kids. There’s only one problem: it doesn’t work. At least it doesn't work well enough. People (yes, even students) aren’t motivated from the outside so rewards and punishments only work to a point. We are internally motivated. That’s why it's essential to engage and inspire students to be motivated to succeed in school (and life.)

If you’re ready to move beyond the reward/punishment model and embrace a whole new way to understand motivation, I encourage you to come back regularly. It’s time to challenge the status quo and create schools and classrooms based on what really motivates behavior.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Importance of Fun in Learning

There has been an interesting exchange recently in The Washington Post about the importance of fun in the classroom.

Renowned psychiatrist William Glasser has written and spoken about the strong connection between fun and learning on numerous occasions. I have heard Dr. Glasser say many times something like this: “Fun is the genetic payoff for learning.” Glasser’s Choice Theory identifies fun as a basic need that drives human behavior.

In The Motivated Student, I write: “Walk into any great classroom, and the feeling of fun is palpable. It can be seen on the faces of the students. Just as importantly, it seen on the faces and in the body language of the teacher. This doesn’t mean there is chaos and foolishness going on. On the contrary, the best classrooms are characterized by focused work in a joyful atmosphere.” (p. 42)

Put simply, fun with a purpose supports learning.

Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. Fuad AlbadaniDecember 17, 2010 at 5:24 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fuad AlbadaniDecember 17, 2010 at 5:30 PM

    “Fun is the genetic payoff for learning.”
    I like this expression. It is a very strong statement abbreviated into a short sentence. When learning becomes fun, it comes natural, and becomes empowering. Following are some good tips for adding fun to learning. Make it Fun to Learn

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 14, 2014 at 3:00 AM

    Play is the business of childhood, allowing your child free rein to experiment with the world around him and the emotional world inside him.

    AnneG
    http://EducationalWoodenToys.net/

    ReplyDelete
  4. NicoleDecember 10, 2016 at 11:33 AM

    Whatever we do in life should be accompanied by fun. I feel sorry for those who learn and don't enjoy studying.
    I advise every student to enjoy their studies, the way they enjoy a party, a movie,a lunch, or a trip...

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)