Teacher motivation: Definition, research development and implications for teachers

• Published in: Cogent education Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 1217819 - 1217836
• Main Authors: Han, Jiying, Yin, Hongbiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Cogent 01-01-2016; Cogent OA; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Definitions; Educational psychology; Educational Research; Evaluation Methods; in-service teacher; Inservice Teacher Education; Instructional Effectiveness; literature review; Literature Reviews; Motivation; Performance Factors; pre-service teacher; Preservice Teachers; Research Needs; Research Projects; Student Motivation; teacher development; Teacher education; Teacher Effectiveness; Teacher Motivation; Teachers; Teaching
• ISSN: 2331-186X; 2331-186X
• DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2016.1217819

The past decade has witnessed an increase in research on teacher motivation which has been proved a crucial factor closely related to a number of variables in education such as student motivation, educational reform, teaching practice and teachers' psychological fulfilment and well-being. To address the constant calls for teacher motivation research, this paper attempts to pose a comprehensive review of teacher motivation studies conducted from diversified theoretical perspectives. Five research areas related to teacher motivation research have been identified: influencing factors of teacher motivation; teacher motivation and teaching effectiveness; teacher motivation and student motivation; teacher motivation research across different disciplines; and the instruments for assessing teacher motivation. Based on a critique of existing literature in terms of theoretical perspectives, research methodology, research content and concerns about contextual issues, potential directions for future research are finally proposed.