Motivation of Students and Its Effect On Academic Performance in Mathematics in Upper Primary Classes in Nawanyingi Sub-County Schools Iganga District Uganda

Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate whether students are motivated by their teachers in doing mathematics in Nawanyingi sub county in Iganga district. The specific objective of the study were to find out what motivational techniques are used by teachers to motivate their students during the learning process, to assess the effect of the attitudes of students towards motivation by their teachers and determining possible motivational strategies to improve on performance in mathematics. It was established that students who are motivated by their teachers are likely to achieve in their academics and therefore higher performance in the subject. The teachers who motivate their students in the learning process of mathematics use some techniques like feedback to the students, use of incentive in the classroom, rewards, application of instructional strategies and some factors like school /classroom environment which attract student's attention, interest of students in the learning tasks determined much on performance of the subject (mathematics). It is found out that student's attitudes towards motivation by their teachers depend on how the teachers handle his or her students and how they apply these techniques effectively. For example students who have positive attitudes towards their teachers have confidence in their teachers. Teachers who have the knowledge of the subject, behave well to their students and use most of the above techniques like praise, feedback, always motivate his/her students. Therefore, as a good teacher, you must know how to motivate students differently. Motivation is good in the learning process especially to students because it directs behaviors of students towards the particular goals, increases the efforts and energy expanded towards these goals as well as improved performance for the students. As a teacher therefore, you must strive hard to alter the negative attitudes of the students to the positive one, so as to learn mathematics more effective.