What Motivates Learners

Learners are motivated both internally and externally. Everyone has different factors that motivate them. Some motivators are based on our personality, while others are based on our upbringing. Some motivators are based in our morals, while others are based on our needs. Below are the basic factors that motivate all learners and educators need to be able to identify what motivates learners and learn how to positively influence this motivation.

Needs and Drives

Everyone has needs and something that drives them. Everyone's needs and drives are different. One of your learners might be driven by the fact that people don't believe he can succeed, and he wants to prove them wrong. Another learner might need more money to care for his family. Another learner might want acceptance from his peers. Mentoring requires the Instructor to get to know every learner and understand what drives them and what they need.

Interest

To learn, one must be interested in the material and to find enjoyment in the activity. Learning breaks down as the level of interest declines. Therefore instructors need to keep the students interested throughout the presentation, not just in the beginning of the topic. Ask lots of questions, refer to Lessons Learned, and get the learners to share their experiences!

Values

A learner's values (also one's attitude and experiences) affect his desire to learn. Values are usually based on a learner's moral fiber. Learners will always compare the material they are learning to what is important in their life.

Attitude

Attitudes are contagious. An instructor with a positive attitude fosters positive attitudes in his learners. If the instructor has a positive attitude about the course, his command, and his learners, the learners will be more motivated to learn. Of course, the opposite can be true and should be avoided.

Incentives

Rewards stimulate motivation. The astute Instructor / Facilitator will choose rewards that are within reach of the learner's imagination. For example, helping a Seaman to pass the PO3 Rating Exam with this knowledge is more believable than helping him to make Chief.

Achievement

All learners have a strong desire to achieve - to accomplish their goals. These can be either short- or long-term objectives. To motivate learners, Instructors must post the Master Course Schedule in the classroom so all learners will know what is going to be covered during the day, week and course. Do you have a Distinguished Graduate program? Everyone, no matter how old want some recognition for achievement.

Get to know your learners. Everyone is different. Being and instructor does not mean just presenting material, it means being a mentor. Mentoring requires us to know our learners.