Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom

Introduction

What gets you excited to jump out of bed? Is it the hope that the alarm clock will just stop ringing? Maybe you love exercise and can’t wait for a morning run (I can’t relate, but good for you). Maybe if you’re more like me, you planned a really good breakfast that you can’t wait to have. Knowing what motivates you and your students is the key to achieving your goals and enhancing student learning. 

Intrinsic motivation is an internal drive to complete tasks for internal satisfaction and not for the sake of others. This satisfaction may look like finding an activity fun or feeling pride when it is accomplished. Extrinsic motivation differs in that it is a drive to act based on outer pressures, such as peer pressure or a paycheck. 

Why does intrinsic motivation matter for students? Why can’t we just bribe them with candy prizes and class parties? 

Intrinsic motivation is key in education because it helps students endure when faced with challenges, find meaning in their work, and explore education more deeply.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not one to say no to a Twix bar as a little bribe on occasion. There’s space in our lives for both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. However, intrinsic motivation can transform your classroom from a workshop to a center for learning.

Let’s jump in to learn how to learn how to build intrinsic motivation in the classroom. 

Understanding Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom

In the classroom, intrinsic motivation is more than a grade or a reward—students are driven to learn out of their own desire. Intrinsically motivated students engage with learning because they find the content meaningful, relevant, interesting, or personally fulfilling. Unlike extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivators create lifelong learners who are excited to constantly pursue knowledge. 

Students who develop intrinsic motivation tend to have better academic success in the long run. They take control of their own learning, and it shows. When challenges or setbacks arise, these students are more equipped to persist, think critically, and apply their learning to the real world. 

Help students tap into their own curiosity. This motivation will transform their view of education but also develop lifelong learning habits.

Why Intrinsic Motivation Matters

Intrinsic motivation isn’t a natural gift that students are born with or not—it is a gift that takes time through nurturing. Over time, you can nurture this motivation in your students by encouraging curiosity, letting them have autonomy over their learning, and complementing their strengths. These experiences will help students feel capable, thus motivating them to strengthen their competencies. When a student sees value in what they’re learning and feels like they’re capable, they will stay engaged in the task at hand.

When students are motivated, they’re more likely to participate in class, ask questions, and seek out additional learning opportunities. As students demonstrate this engagement, they will better retain information, which will enhance their academic performance. Intrinsically motivated students are not only performing better in school, but they are excited about what they’re learning. If faced with a challenge, students’ intrinsic motivation will help them push through setbacks and overcome obstacles. 

So who do we take students from “How can I get an A?” to “How can I grow from this?”

The Role of Student Autonomy

The first key to helping students develop intrinsic motivation is giving them control over their own learning. 

Self-Determination Theory is “the innate desire to flourish that is embedded within each of us”. When people feel like they are in control of their lives, they are more motivated to make choices and succeed. According to Self-Determination Theory, humans have three basic needs: competence, autonomy, and connection to others. All three of these components help people develop intrinsic motivation, and all three of these elements can exist in your classroom. Students develop their competence in various subjects and skills. Students can form connections with their teachers and peers (read our thoughts on how to strengthen relationships with your students here). As the teacher, you have a lot of power in their ability to develop autonomy in their learning. 

What does autonomy look like in the classroom? Goals and personal responsibility. When students create their own learning goals, they feel a sense of ownership and greater investment in their learning. It’s one thing for a teacher to tell a student where they should be by the end of the year; it’s another thing for a student to create that vision on their own. Personal goals give students purpose, direction, and intrinsic motivation.

A classic method to guide students in goal setting is SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). However, this is not your only option! You can try:

• CLEAR goals (Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, Refinable)
• PACT goals (Purposeful, actionable, continuous, trackable)
• FAST goals (Frequently discussed, ambitious, specific, transparent)

Try out these methods for your own goals, find what works for you, and then take it to the classroom. 

Here is an example of what a SMART goal could look like for an elementary-aged student who wants to be better at addition and subtraction:

• Specific: I will correctly answer twenty addition and subtraction problems within two minutes.
• Measurable: I will track my progress by doing a timed math quiz once a week.
• Achievable: I will practice addition and subtraction for 5 minutes a day using my flashcards. 
• Relevant: This goal will help me solve math problems quicker and more confidently, which will help me learn to multiply next school year.
• Time-bound: I will reach this goal by the end of the school year. 

Don’t just make student goals a free-for-all, by any means. Consider these kinds of assignments that provide autonomy and goal-setting opportunities for your students:

• Team projects: let them choose a research topic and present it to the class
• Reading choice: create “book clubs” for the class based on the book they want to read, or a genre of their choice
• Student-led discussions: Encourage students to lead classroom discussions or debates on topics they care about
• Gamified learning: create activities like escape rooms, and role-playing scenarios, or check out our Missions Library to give students a chance to work in teams towards a common goal. 

Effective Strategies to Motivate Students

Intrinsically motivated students begin with a learning environment that allows students to be curious, capable, and in control of their learning. One of the most effective ways to do this is by simply offering choices—letting students choose how they demonstrate their learning or set their own academic goals. When students feel like their ideas and input matter, they’re more likely to take ownership of their learning and find their inner motivation. Consider also the importance of mastery over performance; encourage students to seek after progress rather than just results. Small steps forward, personal goals, and individual feedback will emphasize growth in students, helping them stay motivated even when they struggle. 

Engaging lessons or projects that connect to students’ interests make learning feel more relevant and exciting. When you can connect curriculum to real-world applications, personal experiences, or student passions, curiosity will naturally ignite. Hands-on activities with clear end goals will create a dynamic classroom environment where students are excited to participate.

Providing Positive Feedback to Enhance Motivation

Positive feedback is another crucial factor in helping students develop confidence and intrinsic motivation. When students receive sincere praise for their effort on an assignment, progress with a difficult subject, and their problem-solving in a team activity, they start to trust their own ability to succeed. Effective feedback is more than just a “good job.” It should be specific and focused on what the student did well, such as: “I love how you used strong evidence to support your argument—your analysis was really insightful.” Targeted praise reinforces their strengths and encourages continued engagement in learning.

Non-critical feedback is just as important, especially if a student is struggling. Instead of pointing out a failure, frame it as an opportunity to take on a challenge and grow. Consider: “You’re on the right track. With a little more revision, your ideas will be even stronger.” Help students understand that mistakes are a normal and valuable part of the learning process. When students see that effort creates improvement, they are more willing to take risks and persist through difficulties. 

Creating Optimally Challenging Tasks

Motivating students requires teachers to find a balance between difficult but achievable tasks. If tasks are too easy, students will be bored; if they're too hard, they may give up. The sweet spot is an “optimally challenging” activity that pushes them beyond their comfort zone but is still within reach if students apply themselves. Optimally challenging activities can be introduced by differentiation assignments based on skill levels. For example, tiered problem-solving tasks in math, open-ended projects with varying levels of complexity, or assignments that increase in difficulty can help students stay engaged. 

Encourage a growth mindset by emphasizing effort over immediate success.

The Impact of Classroom Environment on Motivation

Beyond lesson planning, the classroom culture itself plays a huge role in motivation. A supportive, structured,  low-pressure environment is the perfect way to help students become comfortable taking risks. Constantly encourage questions and teach students how to bounce back from mistakes rather than give up. Students who feel valued and challenged in the right way will naturally develop their motivation for learning. 

The Connection Between Motivation and Academic Success

Intrinsic motivation and academic success go hand in hand. Students who are intrinsically motivated to learn tend to perform better on assessments, retain class content, and develop greater critical thinking skills. Unlike extrinsic rewards, intrinsic motivation leads to deeper understanding and a greater sense of achievement. When students take ownership of their education, they naturally push themselves to improve.

Research consistently shows that students with high intrinsic motivation perform better academically. A study from the Shanghai Institute of Early Childhood Education found in 2022 that students who are high in grit and in intrinsic motivation showed strong academic performance because they were naturally driven and displayed long-term dedication. Furthermore, this study concluded that a focus on intrinsic motivation strategies in all subjects (not just areas associated with creativity) can create strong academic performance across disciplines. 

Encouraging Lifelong Learning through Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation doesn’t just impact students when they’re in school. Intrinsic motivation creates student motivation for lifelong learning. When students love discovery and problem-solving, they carry those traits into adulthood—higher education, careers, and personal growth. Help students develop this lifelong learning by developing their metacognitive skills. Teach them to set clear goals and reflect on their progress so they can learn what works best for them. When students realize that knowledge empowers them and enriches their lives, they are more likely to seek out new challenges. 

Conclusion

Intrinsic motivation is a key asset to student success. When students take ownership of their learning, engage with meaningful challenges, and see growth as an opportunity, they develop a long-lasting desire to learn.

Implementing strategies to cultivate intrinsic motivation will take time, but the rewards will be lifelong. This is your opportunity to inspire a love of learning in your students. You play a key role in shaping how students view learning and view the world, as you make education engaging, purposeful, and empowering. We can create motivated learners who are eager to take on the world.