Students’ Motivation in Natural Science Classes

Abstract

The paper discusses motivation as an integral part of the learning process. It presents the interdependence of motivation, emotions, self-regulated learning, cognition, metacognition, critical and creative thinking, learning strategies, and teacher in the process of learning within the natural science field. We describe the characteristics of internal and external motivation significant for improving engagement in the natural science learning activities that leads to better learning achievements. A review of relevant research on the specifics of teaching natural science subjects is discussed in the context of motivation, i. e. the paper discusses the factors that motivate students for studying and succeeding in natural science subjects. Students’ interest in natural science subjects depends largely on the teacher, but also on a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Due to teachers’ importance and numerous interrelationships in the entire learning process, they have a responsibility to motivate students, but also to motivate themselves for professional development in which they will improve their knowledge of factors that motivate students. The paper analyses which factors motivate students for optimal achievements in classes, for effective and active participation in the teaching process of natural science subjects, but also for developing a positive attitude towards the natural sciences.