THE INFLUENCE OF MODERN TEACHING METHODS ON STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION

Drogomyretska M.I., assistant
Poltava University of Consumer Cooperatives in Ukraine

The face of education is changing rapidly nowadays as a direct result of different reforms, realized in the context of Bologna process, named after the place it was proposed, the University of Bologna. One of the main principles of the Bologna process is to enhance the role of students’ independent work. Ideally the number of academic hours is decreased to allow students more time to spend in the library, and seminars turn into “consultations”, where the teacher focuses the students’ attention on the more sophisticated aspects of their work.
A modern student-centered learning approach means that the role of the teacher in the learning process is altered, and the teacher becomes the facilitator of students’ learning [1]. Thus, the teacher’s role involves guiding, clarifying and advising students, helping them to resolve problems, and providing further bright examples to aid understanding. 
Educational approaches may vary between cultures. Taking into account the results of the last educational reforms in Ukraine, it should be admitted that the majority of higher educational establishments are trying to combine totally different principles of work – traditional and modern teaching methods and strategies. That is why the most important problem in the educational environment of the country is related with the search of the main ways to increase students’ motivation.  
So, the purpose of this essay in the present day context is to put you in the picture about modern teaching approaches and to suggest effective teaching methods, able to motivate your students too.
There is clear and widespread agreement among the public and educators that some students seem naturally enthusiastic about learning, but many of them need or expect their teachers to inspire, challenge and motivate them. Effective learning in the classroom depends on the teacher’s ability to maintain the interest of every student to the course. 
Unfortunately, there is no single magical formula for motivating students. Many factors affect a given student’s motivation to work and to learn: interest in the subject matter, perception of its usefulness, general desire to get new knowledge, patience, persistence and, of course, self-confidence and self-esteem. By the way, not all students are motivated by the same values, needs, desires or wants. Some of your students will be motivated by overcoming challenges. 
To encourage students to become self-motivated independent learners, teachers can do the following: 
-	ensure opportunities for students’ success by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult;
-	help students find personal meaning and value in the material;
-	create really positive and open atmosphere during the lessons;
-	help students feel that they are valued members of a learning community [4].
Another motivation tool is the use of modern teaching methods, combined successfully with traditional teaching approaches.
When deciding what teaching method to use, a teacher will need to consider students’ background knowledge, environment and learning goals as well as standardized curricula. 
It is currently fashionable to divide education into different learning “modes”. The most common of them are the next:
-	kinesthetic learning, based on hands-on work and engaging in activities;
-	visual learning, based on observation and seeing what is being learned;
-	auditory learning, based on listening to information [3].
It is claimed that, depending on their preferred learning mode, different teaching techniques have different levels of effectiveness. A consequence of this theory is that effective teaching should present a variety of teaching methods and strategies which cover all three learning modes so that different students have equal opportunities to learn in a way that is effective for them. 
The basic principles of learning (such as experimentation, discussion and interaction, study, evaluation and individual attention) have remained the same for many years. But the methods used to implement these principles have continued to evolve. Information is more rapidly accessible in today’s world. Electronic sources have replaced more physical research tools like the encyclopedia, and communication takes place at a much faster rate. Students of all ages are challenged to learn things more quickly as the pace of the world accelerates. 
In order to make teaching as effective as possible, it is vital to understand the teaching methods that will be most successful with today’s students. Let’s consider the most common of them.
The first teaching method is a lecture, which requires a great deal of preparation time and needs to be supported by various audio-visuals [2]. Lecture has the least impact on students as well as the lowest level of students’ involvement. That’s why it is critically important for every teacher not to use a lecture as a one and only tool.
The purpose of demonstration as effective teaching method is to transmit the big picture to a relatively small group of students in a short period of time. Demonstrations are particularly useful in teaching skills and are more teacher-centered than student-centered. There are several variations of demonstrations:
-	projects (students are allowed to create their own original designs or models to illustrate an important point or content fact);
-	skill practice (students get an opportunity to apply their newly learned skills in a true-to life experience);
-	simulations (the activities in which students are given real-life problem situations and asked to work through those situations as though they were actually a part of them;  
-	on-the-job training etc.
The purpose of a discussion is to involve the student into debate on a certain topic. The discussion method promotes understanding and clarification of concepts, ideas and feelings. Discussions can vary from teacher-centered to student-centered. The most typical discussions at the universities are:
-	role-playing, which provides an opportunity for students to assume roles of others and thus appreciate another point of view [2]; 
-	brainstorming, which is the generation of lots of ideas (without regard for quality) about a single topic;
-	case studies, which develop analytic and problem-solving skills;
-	survey, which allows students to think for themselves without being influenced by others [2];
-	scientific conferences and so on.
Audio-visual presentations method is connected with the use of various slides, movies, PowerPoint slides, photographs, illustrations, videos, or overhead transparencies. In contrast to a lecture, most of the information is presented visually, rather than orally.
With reading information method a teacher can assign any material from the textbook or a selected website for students to read independently.
Problem-solving method is important to include problems for which the teacher does not have a preordained answer. In this situation the group of students is given a problem and is directed to find an appropriate solution.
Finally, debriefing method is conducted at the conclusion of a lesson. It is an active thinking process, which allows students to condense and coalesce knowledge and information as a group or a whole class.
In professional education, learning by teaching method allows students to prepare and to teach lessons, or parts of lessons to another students. Many years ago Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca told that we are learning if we teach (latin “docendo discimus”), and he was right [3].
So, according to new conditions in Ukraine the teachers are trying to include a variety of teaching methods in every lesson. It should be remembered that students do not learn much just by sitting in class and listening to their teachers. They must talk about what they are learning, write about it, relate it to past experiences, apply it to their daily lives. They must make what they learn part of themselves. Students have to become active participants in learning and to develop their abilities to deal with information, in particular, to decide what is and what is not important. In such a way students are getting not only the necessary information, but also specific opportunities to use it in a creative and engaging way. As a result, students’ motivation to learn increases with a high pace.
In conclusion, it should be said that education is the light that shows the mankind the right direction to surge and to develop. Unavoidable integration of Ukraine and other countries into international community requires the implementation of generally recognized educational standards. The use of innovative teaching methods in higher educational institutions has the potential not only to develop critical thinking skills of every student, but also to ensure the quality of the educational system on the whole. 

Literature
1.	http://www.ed.gov
2.	Instructional methods information, updated on March 20, 2008. - http://www.adprima.com/teachmeth.htm
3.	The Free Encyclopedia Wikipedia. - http://en.wikipedia.org 
4.	Tools for Teaching by Barbara Gross Davis; Jossey-Bass Publishers: San Francisco, 1993. - http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/motivate.html

KEY WORDS
Auditory learning, Bologna process, education, kinesthetic learning, motivating students, teaching methods, the basic principles of learning, visual learning. 

ANNOTATION
In the essay modern student-centered learning approach is analyzed. Traditional and modern teaching methods are considered. The influence of these methods on students’ motivation is proved.