Self-Determination Theory in Action

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Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation that allows students to be more autonomous with their learning and achieve greater challenges academically. There are several factors that influence a student’s ability to self-regulate their learning which leads to improved academic performance and overall well-being. Students need to be autonomous, competent, and feel as if they can relate to others.
First of all, it is important for teachers to create a learning environment where students learn to be intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation occurs when students willingly participate in an activity because they find enjoyment in the activity. When students become intrinsically motivated they are willing to take responsibility of their own learning. “Controlling educational climates under- mine intrinsic motivation” and therefore undermine a students progress towards becoming autonomous (pg 136). The main difficulty in guiding students towards autonomy has to do with the current reward and punishment practices used within classrooms. As a teacher, I need to rid my classroom of extrinsic motivations and help students internalize their motivation. Students normally begin school with mostly external regulation as the main regulatory style. External regulation occurs when a students motivation is based on external rewards or punishments. As students move away from external regulation towards introjected regulation, they slowly begin to internalize the motivation to participate in an activity. Introjected regulation occurs when students have become aware of themselves and others view of them and is a means of feeding the ego or satisfying internal expectations. Then students move into identified regulation, which occurs...

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...tion or student learning through the inquiry method which allows students to develop their own truths.
In conclusion, creating a classroom environment where students are able to be autonomous, competent and feel related to the teacher not only as an educator, but also as a fellow human being is essential in promoting self-determination. Promote students’ growth of autonomy by creating differentiation in the assessment style through students personally choosing the way they will be evaluated. Integrating Montessori methodology and practices is one of the easiest ways to insure students will feel both independent and competent in the classroom.

Works Cited

Niemiec, C. P., and R. M. Ryan. "Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness in the Classroom: Applying Self-determination Theory to Educational Practice."Theory and Research in Education 7.2 (2009): 133-44. Print.

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