How to Motivate Students (On-site workshop)

Motivation drives learning. But what drives motivation? 

In this interactive blended-learning workshop, you will be introduced to the Self-Determination Theory, one of the most influential theories on motivation in education. You will be acquainted with a number of strategies to foster distinct dimensions of motivation and experience them during the on-site session.  

The workshop concept requires that you acquaint yourself with the Self-Determination Theory before attending the on-site session, since there will only be a brief recap of its main tenets in the form of a self-assessment before the collaborative work within fixed teams begins. The foregoing self-study phase takes about two hours and is built on the stand-alone online module “How to Motivate Students – Ideas from the Self-Determination Theory”, which you can complete at any time. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: 

• identify factors that affect students’ motivation 
• use simple strategies to create more motivating (and inclusive) environments 
• use digital tools to support active (and inclusive) learning 
• apply the strategies for motivating learners to solve complex educational issues 
• reflect on the effectiveness of the strategies for motivating learners based on their self-experience 

Content 

• Self-Determination Theory 
• Universal Design for Learning 
• Team-based Learning 
• Peer Feedback 

Programme 

The workshop consists of an asynchronous self-study phase and an on-site session. During the self-paced asynchronous phase, participants watch videos, answer MC/SC-questions, and reflect on their current teaching practices regarding student motivation. The onsite session begins with a readiness assurance process that guarantees every participant is well-acquainted with the Self-Determination Theory and its three core dimensions. Thereafter, participants work together in fixed teams for the remainder of the workshop. They solve three consecutive complex tasks centered around everyday motivational issues in higher education and continuously self-assess their solutions alongside those of the rest of the team. The workshop ends with a reflection on the strategies to foster motivation and their impact on one’s own learning process. 

Practical Information 

• Date: 08 May 2026 
• Time: 09:00 - 15:30 
• Audience: Teachers and assistants from USI 
• Course language: English 
• Format: On-site in room 408 (4th floor of the West Campus) 
• The workshop will take place with a minimum of 6 participants and is limited to a maximum of 16!

Registration