Motivation Matters: How to Stay Inspired and Engaged in Remote Education

Opening the Motivation Matter

According to a 2020 survey, 76% of undergraduate respondents and 56% of graduate respondents identified a lack of motivation as their biggest online learning obstacle.The vast majority of students at research universities—96% of undergraduate students and 88% of graduate students—experienced at least one obstacle in their transition to remote learning, according to the recent Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) Consortium survey of 22,519 undergraduate students and 7,690 graduate and professional students at five public research universities.

During the pandemic, the biggest obstacle among undergraduate, graduate, and professional students was the lack of motivation for remote learning. Other common obstacles included lack of interaction with other students, inability to learn effectively in an online format, and distracting home environments, perhaps due to lack of access to appropriate study spaces. 

Learning remotely can offer many benefits, such as flexibility, autonomy, and cost savings. But it can also pose some challenges, especially when it comes to learning and development. How then do you keep yourself motivated and engaged in your learning journey as a remote student?

Getting to Know Remote Education

But first, what is remote education? Remote Education is a kind of learning where the student and the educator, or information source, are not physically present in a traditional classroom environment. Information is relayed through technology, such as discussion boards, video conferencing, and online assessments. Here, learning can occur synchronously with real-time peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration, or asynchronously, with self-paced learning activities that take place independently of the instructor.

It refers to educational activities that have a variety of formats and methods, most of which take place online. There are a number of online options available for communicating with students, collecting assignments, and distributing education material.

What about Motivation?

Did you know motivation is derived from the Latin verb ‘movere’, and not the Dutch verb ‘motivere‘? Quite literally, it means what keeps us moving.  Motivation is  our enthusiasm for doing something. It is the ‘why’ behind every action. Motivation is the reason – or reasons – for acting or behaving in a particular way. It helps us to set a goal and reach it. 

In education, motivation helps children and young people to focus their attention on a key goal or outcome. In doing so, they are unfazed by possible distractions, and are therefore able to maintain their attention during longer periods of time. Students who are motivated display goal-oriented behaviours. They take initiative, show resilience, harness their curiosity, and care for and respect their work. They are equipped to orchestrate their own learning journey.

Why Motivation?

Drive for Learning

First and foremost, motivation is an orientation towards learning. It determines how likely a student is either to give up or push forward, and how thoughtful their reflection on their learning will be. The deeper the motivation for pursuing an activity, the more likely the student will not accept easy answers to complex questions. In short, intrinsic motivation fosters strong and flexible critical thinking skills. On the other hand, a motivation that is purely extrinsic leads to low interest and academic persistence. When the external stimulus is removed, motivation is lost. Then, all but poor productivity is left.

Drive for Creativity and Critical Thinking

Secondly, students who are intrinsically motivated treat learning like tossing a coin or rolling a die. Indeed, they are more likely to flip the concept on its head to see it from a new angle. Motivated students are not more intelligent than unmotivated students; however, their need to find out the answer to a question or to master a concept pushes their thinking.

Intrinsically motivated students will think about questions far beyond the confines of the classroom. The presence of their teachers or the fear of a low grade do not drive their thinking. Instead, motivated students think longer and harder, enjoy the challenge of being confused, then ask deeper, more thought-provoking questions. They also tend to reflect on underlying causes or frameworks. By these, they are able to adapt learned content to new situations.

Drive for Resilience and Self-assurance

A student who is truly engrossed in a task will have less cognitive and emotional energy to focus on social image. Individuals who engage in intrinsically motivating activities report that their self-consciousness and other stressors tends to fade for the period of the activity. Motivated students are also more able to emotionally ‘bounce back’ from a low grade on a test or a harsh criticism from a teacher or peer. Because intrinsically motivated students are not driven by fear of failure or criticism, they are less likely to disengage in such circumstances. However, note that every student feels the demotivating effects of negative feedback one way or another, but driven students experience them to a lesser extent.

How to Stay Inspired in Remote Education

Set Clear and Realistic Goals/Objectives

The first step to staying inspired in your learning journey is to set clear and realistic goals and objectives for yourself. What do you want to learn? Why do you want to learn it? How will it help you in your current or future role? How will you measure your progress and success? Having a clear vision of your learning goals and outcomes can help you focus your efforts and prioritize your activities.

When you are setting goals, it is important to consider what your strengths and weaknesses are. Some goals will be harder to achieve than others, so you will need to be realistic and dedicate the right amount of time to each task. For instance, reading a chapter of a book and completing a full written assignment are not equal, so the same amount of time should not be attributed to each.

Studies have shown that people who set actionable tasks and regularly assess their progress along the way to achieving their goals are more successful than those who do not. Students are not the only ones who set goals; it is the practice of many successful individuals. Athletes, business professionals and other high achievers all regularly set goals and use these to motivate their success.

Adding to setting goals, you should record them. Different approaches to this will work best for different students. Experiment till you find the method that works for you. Some need a visual approach and want to see the goals they are working towards. If this is you, consider sticking coloured sticky notes around your home to remind you of your current targets. Others prefer a more methodical approach and are happy to record their goals in a list or on a spreadsheet. If you are a social learner, you could even consider finding a study buddy and setting goals together. That way, you have someone to motivate you to make additional progress.

The more small successes you can achieve, the better. And remember that each goal you reach is a step closer towards your ultimate goal of completing your course.

Create a learning schedule and routine

Online learners have the freedom to study whenever and wherever suits them best. This flexibility is one of the main attractions of online learning for many students. But it’s important to note that, even if your study schedule is not conventional, you are still advised to put one in place.

Perhaps you work during the day and then study at night. Create a schedule that will see you complete your assigned reading for one hour each evening, and then set aside larger chunks of time at the weekends to complete your assignments. 

There are many benefits of setting a schedule to organise your online learning. First, if you have a plan you’re more likely to follow it and reach your goals. Second, if you include important dates and deadlines on your schedule (such as when your coursework should be completed by, or when your exams are) then you won’t forget to submit or attend these. Finally, whilst the primary aim of creating a study schedule is to determine when you study, this will also allow you to schedule regular breaks. This is important because without time away from your online learning, you may begin to suffer from burnout. And if you are experiencing study fatigue, then it is impossible to remain motivated.

Stay Organised

Organisation is an integral life skill that all online students should develop. While teachers in traditional learning environments often take control of organising their students and setting their schedules, online learners are responsible for their own organisation. They will quickly learn how important this is to their academic success. 

All of the lessons, course materials, and contact information you will need as part of your online learning course is administered online. It is much easier to stay organised as an online learner than it is as a traditional learner.

There are many different organisational techniques that you can adopt. These include:

1. Create a quiet and calm dedicated study space where you can work without distractions, and spread out your course materials when you need them. This space should be well-lit and have a reliable internet connection and make you feel a sense of well-being.
2. Take advantage of the digital tools offered by your online learning provider. Many will provide online learning dashboards, calendars and even note-taking apps. Check your online learning management system regularly so you know what is coming up and organise your schedule accordingly.
3. Organise your paperwork. Now is the perfect time to head to your favourite stationary shop and buy all the organisational equipment you need. Choose colours and patterns that make you feel happy so that you will be more inclined to use them. Planners, box files and clear files can all help you to track your reading lists, assignments, and any other vital information.

Staying organised can actually help to save you time, maximising the value of your study sessions. One study suggested that using the correct organisational tools can improve time management by up to 38%. What’s more, the National Association of Professional Organisers suggests that we spend one year of our lives looking for lost items. This clearly demonstrates how important it is to keep organised and ensure that you have an effective and efficient workspace.

Stay Positive

Feeling overwhelmed or getting behind can cause stress – which is seriously demotivating. It is not easy to turn a negative attitude into a positive outlook, right? Whenever you want to procrastinate on an assignment or perhaps you feel like skipping a lecture, a positive attitude will keep you going. If you try to stay positive throughout your online course experience, you will find everything a little easier.

Connect with other learners and experts

Learning remotely does not mean learning alone. You can still connect with other learners and experts who share your interests and goals. Connecting with others can help you exchange ideas, get feedback, ask questions, overcome challenges, and celebrate achievements. Join online communities, forums, groups, or networks related to your topic of interest. You can also participate in online events, webinars, workshops, or mentoring sessions. You can also reach out to your colleagues, managers, or mentors for guidance and support.

Ask for help when you need it. Distance learning was an adjustment for many of us, but there are many resources available to help you stay successful. Reach out to your teachers and classmates if you are struggling. Do not make learning a one-man voyage.

Review and reflect on your learning

Review and reflect on your learning regularly– emphasis on regularly. This can help you assess your progress, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your strategies and actions accordingly. It can also help you recognize your achievements, appreciate your efforts, and reward yourself. You can use different tools and methods to review and reflect on your learning. These include journals, portfolios, quizzes, surveys, or feedback forms.

Record when your assignments and exams are due in a planner. Check it every morning to make sure that you are on track in every class. Also, check Moodle for assignment due dates, as they may have changed with our shift to distance learning.

How to Stay Engaged in Remote Learning

Take Advantage of your Online Resources

Many universities now provide extensive resources for online students to help them feel engaged and personally connected throughout the educational process. The types of resources offered vary by school.

Do not Skip your Lectures

Skipping lectures can be tempting, especially if you are an online student and your school provides asynchronous classes. What is the point of attending a class if no one else is there to watch or ask questions? The point is to stay engaged. You can not do that if you do not listen carefully to each lecture. Staying engaged with your coursework allows you to communicate easily with your professors and fellow students. If you struggle to watch each lecture, try breaking them into smaller segments throughout the day.

Get into Group Discussions

Engaging in group discussions can feel challenging when they are not in real time. However, staying involved helps you feel more familiar with both course content and your fellow students. Whether meeting live on a video-communication platform or responding to posts on a learning management system forum, make it a priority to actively participate in discussions. Respond thoroughly to ideas, and contribute thoughtfully to the conversation. This signals to your peers that you will be an active and engaged group project member.

Befriend your Classmates

If you see your peers simply as other strangers who happen to be taking the same online class as you, you will likely feel disengaged. Taking time to get to know them personally can help you feel understood and more connected to the process in general. Making friends in online school allows for camaraderie and shared experiences. Ultimately the whole process of online learning feels more doable and more satisfying when you know that you are not alone in the experience.

Visit your School’s Campus

If you attend a school with a campus relatively near you, take advantage of its physical presence. Some universities allow you to take classes both online and in-person, and a few in-person classes will go a long way toward helping to create a feeling of belonging. You can also take advantage of some of the in-person services and physical resources such as the library, gym, career services, and meeting with your professors in their offices. There is no harm in doing this, if you can.

Become an A+ Communicator

Half the battle of maintaining a feeling of connection is communicating regularly with peers, professors, and other school staff. If you want to feel fully engaged in your education then you must fully participate, and that means engaging often in communication. If a professor asks a question, do not be afraid to answer it; if you have a question about a topic, ask. Arrange an after-school online hangout with your classmates and bring a list of questions you can all answer to get to know one another better.

Ask for feedback

Getting regular feedback from both your professors and fellow students can help you understand how you are doing in the class, how others see you as a group member and contributor, and where you can improve. Those valuable and even life-changing lessons will leave a lasting impression and contribute to your feeling of engagement. Giving constructive feedback to others can also help you get to know your peers better and build stronger bonds. Some schools may have helpful feedback forms to guide discussions.

Connect with Alumni

It may seem counter-intuitive at first but getting to know graduates who came before you can actually help you feel more connected and committed to your school and program. Whether you find them on LinkedIn or through a professor, talking to alumni can help you feel proud of your school and learn more about how it prepared these professionals for their careers. Alumni may also be able to give you insider information on how to excel, which professors are the best, and where to turn for help both during and after your education.

Bringing the Motivation Matter to a Close

Learning online can be a great way to achieve your goals, but it requires motivation and discipline. Online learning requires the same level of commitment, skill and knowledge as studying in a traditional learning environment. It should not, and cannot be seen as a shortcut.

By setting clear goals, creating a schedule, staying organised, connecting with others, and finding what works for you, you can stay motivated and achieve success in your online learning journey. It will take time and dedication, but online students should keep their end goal in mind and know that all of the hard work will ultimately be worth the effort.

Written by Dominion

For the Editorial Team, God is Love Educational Foundation