Create an environment for learning

​Hyderabad: “We cannot control or create motivation in classrooms, but we do have tremendous influence over it,” said, Prof Teresa Balser, Fulbright Distinguished Chair, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Australia.

She was delivering a lecture on “Motivation in the Modern Classroom,” at the ICFAI University campus in Hyderabad. Addressing the gathering, Prof Balser said that as a Fulbright scholar she has learnt a lot about education in her host countries, and everywhere she found that the teachers, especially in the field of higher education, found it a challenge to bring in excitement and motivation into their classrooms.

“While the teachers expect students to attend classes, study, ask questions, participate and pay attention in the class, students, though highly motivated to learn, do not seem to be convinced that the classroom is the best place to learn,” she said.

Speaking about the existing education system, Prof Balser said that it was oriented towards the industrial age and is not aligned to the needs of the current era. “It is necessary to create learning environments that engage students and provide them opportunities to learn.

To improve motivation, attention has to be paid to people and delivery method, in addition to content,” she added.