Intrinsic Motivation: Implications for Physical Educator

A goal for all physical educator is to increase student’s motivation to engage in, and enjoy regular physical activity. Enhancing students’ intrinsic motivation is an effective approach to foster participation in physical activity. The purpose of this paper is to address implications of intrinsic motivation that physical educator should consider when they teach. Physical educators play a significant role in shaping the class environment to promote intrinsic motivation. Physical educators should concern (1) how to develop conceptual understanding on learning task, (2) how to allow students the freedom to make choice, (3) how to evaluate performance, not students, (4) how to modify difficulty level of learning task, (5) how to communicate teacher expectation to students. Continuous effort of physical educators to raise the level of students intrinsic motivation would bring great effect on development of positive attitude that promote voluntary participation on physical education throughout their life span.