Motivation During Pandemic

I. 10 Tips for Staying Motivated During the Pandemic

1. Start your day with a plan or schedule. You’re more likely to exercise when it’s
integrated into your everyday life, so you don’t have to think about it. Has your routine
been disrupted during the pandemic? Take some time to thoughtfully create a new one.

2. Squeeze in shorter bouts of activity. Exercise doesn’t have to be long or grueling to be

effective. We now understand that short bursts of exercise are beneficial, and often serve
as motivation to exercise more. If you have a busy day, schedule in two ten or fifteen-
minute workouts. Or make it a habit to do a round of push-ups while you wait for your
chance to speak during that Zoom meeting! Look for other similar opportunities and turn
them into habits!

3. Practice healthy and mindful eating. We all know that the food we put in our bodies
influences how we feel – it keeps energy levels high, boosts the immune system, and
enhances mood.

4. Be “Social”. Studies show that having a fitness buddy makes you more likely to
exercise consistently. Go for a bike ride with a friend or make a regular date to chat on
the phone while each of you walks around your neighborhood.

5. Notice how good exercise makes you feel. You’re much more likely to exercise
regularly when you take a moment afterwards to focus on how good you feel. Observe
how your energy has increased, pay attention to that feeling of accomplishment, and
notice how your feelings of stress have dissipated. Remembering the positive impact that
exercise has on you will motivate you to work out again tomorrow — and the next day,
too!

6. Get enough sleep. Let’s face it, no one wants to exercise when they’re sleepy or
exhausted. So get sufficient rest. We know your mother already told you that. Turns out,
she was right!
7. Relax and recharge. Everyone needs some down time. Solitude, massage, a comedy
podcast, a video game, or just doing nothing – what works for you? Now might be a good
time to learn some new relaxation techniques: mindfulness, yoga, and meditation classes.

8. Reward yourself. Give yourself small rewards when you accomplish a task or goal –
watch 10 minutes of cat videos after you finish that workout! Having something to look
forward to makes it easier to stick to your exercise plan when you’re feeling a lack of
motivation (or when you’re simply too tired to get started).

9. Prioritize your mental health. Are you down, anxious, or depressed more than
occasionally? This can interfere with your motivation to exercise.

10. Be okay when you falter. Some days are like that. There’s no value in beating
yourself up because you didn’t adhere to your exercise plan – no one’s perfect. Just
remind yourself of how good you feel when you do exercise, and re-commit to your next
exercise session.

COVID-19 has forced everyone to make changes – like it or not. Staying

motivated can be tricky, but you can make it easier for yourself by creating a realistic
schedule and taking time to care for yourself. Though this pandemic feels endless, it will
eventually come to an end. The motivation tips that you adopt now can lead to positive
change for the rest of your life.

II. Raising Student Motivation During the Pandemic

In the current pandemic scenario where teachers must deal with pandemic learning
modes, student motivation is of paramount importance. I would like to borrow from
Maryellen Weimer’s [3] synthesis of Paul Pintrich’s [2] meta-analysis on motivation and
how these principles can be further adapted in various pandemic learning modes to raise
student motivation.
1. Adaptive self-efficacy and competence perceptions motivate students.

Weimer’s simple translation:

“If students believe they can do it, they are motivated to try. The first implication for
teachers involves the feedback they provide students. It needs to be accurate… If students
are trying, any progress, even very small amounts of it should be noted.”

“A second implication for teachers involves the difficulty of the task. It needs to be
challenging but something that can be accomplished.”

Designing tasks that are challenging for accomplished students while not
overwhelming other students is already a tightrope to walk under regular circumstances,
and even more so with pandemic learning modes. Teachers not only have to select tasks
judiciously while designing tasks but also need to be aware of the middle-path threshold.
Designing anything below this will serve as a demotivating factor for students who are
above grade level. Designing anything above this will be too challenging and again serve
as a demotivating factor for students who are below or near average grade level. This is
where technology and visual tools come into play. Bundling up tasks with online
technology aids will help students below the grade level to keep them motivated.
Providing an option to obtain extra credit on performing additional challenging tasks will
keep students above the grade level motivated. Enablement of extra credit for going
beyond the ask, bundled with precise feedback, will also work in a two-thronged way as
it will also address the first implication. Extra credit will act as a motivator for students
above the grade level to accept challenging tasks, whereas students below the grade level
will be motivated to complete the task or follow feedback for improvement.

2. Adaptive attributions and control beliefs motivate students.

Weimer’s simple translation:

“…If the student doesn’t think effort makes a difference, they won’t expend any. One
important implication for teachers: there’s a need to talk about how learning works, the
importance of effort and the control students do have over what and how they study.
Another implication: students’ motivation increases when they are given the chance to
make choices and exercise some control over learning…”

Students get motivated when they know their voices are being heard and there is a
process for student feedback, not just after the course is over but also during the course.
This will become crucial with pandemic learning modes when student voices and
feedback will have to be incorporated into the course design. Flexibility will be of key
importance. Student feedback on various topics like the progress of course, course
content, associated tasks, online aids used, etc., should be considered at regular intervals,
and their suggestions, if feasible, should be incorporated. This will keep students
motivated and involved in the course.

3. Higher levels of interest and intrinsic motivation motivate students.

Weimer’s simple translation:

“Research makes a distinction between personal and situational interest. Personal interest
represents the attraction a student feels for a content area—what’s motivating the
decision to major in a particular field. Situational interest refers to positive feelings
generated by the learning tasks or activities themselves…Students can catch motivation
from a teacher who is obviously, unabashedly in love with the content and teaching.”

In short, motivation is infectious. Motivation begets motivation. A positive flow of

energy from the teacher is definitely going to be caught on by the students and vice versa.
During these challenging times, it becomes even more necessary to diligently select
online, in-person, or hybrid tasks that are out of the box and motivate students.

4. Higher levels of value motivate students.

Weimer’s simple translation:

“The motivational issue here is straightforward. Do students see the relevance, the
importance of what they’re being asked to learn and do? Teachers should, at multiple
times and in multiple ways, make clear the importance, usefulness, and relevance of the
content and associated activities.”

Students should understand the value attached with what they are learning and
where it will be applied in their future lives to keep them motivated. Instead of teachers
telling students the importance of each underlying topic, it would be beneficial if students
are directed to find out through directed readings and experiential learning the relevance
and future application of each topic. During these challenging times when unemployment
is on the rise, students should be asked to list and find out more about their ‘dream
employers.’ Following this, instructors could ask students to discuss how these ‘dream
employers’ utilize or apply the current course topics in the workplace, and how the
current course topics might be part of their future employment interview process.

5. Goals motivate and direct students.

Weimer’s simple translation:

“And students aren’t motivated solely by academic goals, like those related to mastery
(comprehension of content) and performance (grades)…For teachers, one implication
involves greater use of cooperative and collaborative group work designed so that it
includes opportunities to attain both social and academic goals.”

The importance of collaborative learning can never be over-emphasized. In the

case of pandemic learning modes, these are akin to the wooden pole in the hands of the
tightrope walker. Pandemic learning modes need to be accentuated with online
collaborative tools. Google offers various tools for online collaboration. For those in the
computer science field, there are online tools available that allow team or pair
collaborative programming [4]. Online games, when coupled with learning, provide a
wonderful study aid to reinforce course information [5].
 In pandemic learning modes, teachers will have to adorn a special hat of a
motivator, akin to a cement-mixer! A motivator who facilitates the right mix of tasks and
flexible grading schemes, and couples them up with the right mix of online collaborative
technology to churn out positive energy and a great learning experience for students. But
what will keep this motivator rolling? It will depend on the students’ motivational energy
fed back to the teacher via their constructive progress, response, and enthusiasm. Any
breach in the motivational cycle will be deconstructive to all.

III. How The Quarantine Became a Time for ‘Self-Motivated’ Online Learning

Laguna (CNN Philippines Life) — Education is one of the many sectors that the
pandemic has heavily affected on a global scale. In the Philippines, schools have been
forced to rethink evaluation procedures for the recently concluded semester, with some
giving passing marks for all students while others opted to defer their grades. Plans on
how the next semesters will be implemented remain unresolved, but online learning, both
partial and full, continues to be the most considered option as it allows for the practice of
social distancing. Several groups have expressed disapproval of this option, however,
asserting how this set-up would frame education as a privilege that many Filipinos will
not be able to reach due to a lack of meaningful internet access. Some are also pushing
for an “academic freeze,” which is said to be the least discriminating option for Filipino
students given the current situation.

“With this pandemic, schools and educators are really challenged to shift the traditional
classroom online, and we understand the real concern that not all families have internet
access or dedicated resources to continue this learning method for their children,” says
Henry Motte-Muñoz, founder and chief executive officer of education startup
Edukasyon.ph. “In this scenario, it will be critical for [the] government to work with the
telcos to ensure the youth have equal opportunities to online schooling.”
 A shift in educational paradigm is proven to be a necessary step to take in order
for students and educators to adapt to the "new normal". The changing times have also
paved the way for another trend to grow.

Learning employability from experts

Independent online courses are becoming more popular among students and young
professionals alike. Last month, 28-year-old Paula Mendoza from Makati City was able
to finish 20 online courses in leadership, sales, and marketing courses from the Wharton
School of University of Pennsylvania, University of California, and 12 other universities
through online education provider Coursera.

These short courses, typically completed in a matter of weeks, focus on subjects

under specific industries — such as digital marketing, customer service, and accounting
— and are designed for skills building and development. While some require fees prior to
registration, several of these courses are made available for free.

Motte-Muñoz says that these courses are “scalable and accessible,” and “self-
motivated and self-paced.” Learners are allowed to work according to their schedules and
learning capacity.

“While this pandemic has been very challenging, it’s also accelerating a lot of positive
trends in the education space in the Philippines.”

“In addition to being self-paced or self-instructed, and students having the choice of
specific skills they want to learn for employability, online courses tend to be more
affordable than traditional education — so your return on investment will be much
quicker,” he adds.

Online education providers like Coursera, Udemy, FutureLearn, and Kadenze

bridge some gaps in education by offering independent courses from top institutions.
“Students have the opportunity to learn from top instructors in each field, and through a
broader lens of each industry,” shares Motte-Muñoz.

Platforms such as Edukasyon.ph select online courses from the providers

according to what students view as most helpful to their personal and professional
growth, and offer insight to users in finding “the right education — including the right
online one,” he adds.

When selecting online courses to offer to the Filipino audience, Motte-Muñoz

shares that they take into account whether the certificate or short courses translate into
employable skills; if they have good representation of what is available in the market; and
if they are making it easy for students to discover online education with little to no
prerequisites.

The limits of 'self-paced' online learning

Independent online learning is not exclusive to short courses lifted from

established institutions. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) also offers free online courses. Learning resources for students and educators
are also archived online via DepEd Commons, maintained by the Department of
Education. Motte-Muñoz also acknowledges the growing educational content on
YouTube and even TikTok, as well as free live-streamed webinars across various topics
and industries. “While this pandemic has been very challenging, it’s also accelerating a
lot of positive trends in the education space in the [Philippines],” he says.

While online courses are “not yet at par with traditional degrees in terms of their
credibility and perception of their value,” Motte-Muñoz shares that there are significant
improvements in how universities credit or use them as supplemental learning. He says it
will take time for families and companies to adapt in viewing online courses as a
reasonable alternative for traditional learning, especially as four-year degrees are often
perceived as the standard in our culture.
 Online courses are not without limitations, however: lack of peer-to-peer learning
and completion rates based on the student’s motivation are crucial aspects that are not
covered by the courses. There is also the challenge of helping first-time online learners to
adopt this new method, although schools’ promotion of online learning may largely
contribute to this adjustment.

But self-paced courses, particularly for knowledge-based skills, could in fact be

more effective than in-person instruction, says Motte-Muñoz, as students already have
the motivation as well as the freedom to optimize their own learning.

Motte-Muñoz adds: “An important thing to note is that online courses engage
learners beyond the education system — this could include out-of-school youth, people
who may have lost jobs or may be transitioning careers — enabling a broader audience to
benefit.”

IV. 10 Ways Young People Are Leading the Way Against COVID-19

As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19

pandemic, young people are demonstrating their continued leadership in their
communities and countries. According to a new UN plan to address COVID-19, young
people are some of the most affected by the pandemic’s socio-economic impacts.
Nevertheless, youth are also among the most active in global responses: Not only are they
on the frontlines as health workers, but they are also advancing health and safety in their
roles as researchers, activists, innovators, and communicators. As such, decision-makers
must commit to ensuring youth voices are part of the solutions for a healthier, safer, and
gender-equal world.

Here are just some of the ways that Women Deliver Young Leaders are stepping up and
taking action against the outbreak:

1. Providing Essential Reproductive Health Services and Companionship

 With many countries going into some form of lockdown, women around the world
are having trouble accessing safe abortion and contraception. To ensure people are still
able to care for their sexual and reproductive health, Lina López and her organization,
safe2choose, are offering support via email, website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
“During these uncertain times, we remain committed to provide safe abortion information
and counseling to women and girls from their homes,” Lina said. “Talk to us, we are here
to support you.”

In Israel, welfare social worker or Ram and in the UK, NHS Volunteer Responder
Gbemisola Osadua offer telephone support to those experiencing loneliness while in self-
isolation. Or also counsels girls with unwanted pregnancies, highlighting the cross-
cutting work of social workers during this time of quarantine and other protective
measures.

2. Using Social Media and Apps to Spread Accurate Information

According to medical doctor Hashim Hounkpatin of Benin, there are two diseases
currently spreading around the world in a viral manner: COVID-19 and fake news. The
vaccine for both? “Good information.” Hashim, who launched a mass literacy program in
Francophone Africa called Arayaa, teamed up with a consortium of health-related content
producers to organize a Tweetchat about how to keep safe against COVID-19. Their
hashtag #AgirContreCOVID19 has reached more than 90,000 participants to date.
Additionally, they are designing an app that displays trusted knowledge in local
languages and allows users to interact directly with experts for help.

3. Speaking Out for Effective and Equitable Care

On top of treating patients, young doctors are also responding by sounding the
alarm bells around limited resources and demanding greater investments in health.
Sujitha selvarajah of the uk’s national health service (nhs) emphasizes the need for
personal protective equipment (ppe), increased testing capacity, and protection of the
most vulnerable populations. “this pandemic reveals the existing inequalities in society,”
sujitha said. “protecting the most vulnerable should be a priority at all times, not just
during a pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Gvantsa Khizanishvili of Georgia is focused on improving access to

quality and equitable care for cancer patients during the pandemic. As the Tbilisi City
Manager of C/Can, Gvantsa is calling for oncologists around the world to share
information and data on the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients. Because cancer
patients are at higher risk of complications from the virus, she believes “it is crucial to
provide the most accurate information, resources and support to people with cancer,
cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers.”

4. Championing Mental Wellness

Protecting everyone from the pandemic also means safeguarding people’s mental
health. In Poland, physician and psychiatry resident Anna Szczegielniak is bringing
attention to how social isolation puts additional stress on individuals, especially those
who are homeless, have no internet connectivity, or lack support from their families.
According to Anna, physicians in the country are organizing social media groups for
those in crisis and are highlighting the value of community. “Only united we can beat this
pandemic,” Anna said.

5. Innovating to Improve Access to Lifesaving Testing

Widespread testing is a vital part of saving lives in a pandemic. To bolster their

city’s coronavirus defense, Helena Likaj developed and implemented a drive-thru testing
center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Every weekday afternoon and while supplies last, their
facility provides free COVID-19 testing to individuals riding up in cars and bicycles.

6. Conducting Research and Developing Technology

Another critical aspect of combatting coronavirus is research. Hamza Meghari of

Palestine, a Clinical Care Research Assistant currently based in the UK, is joining forces
with the World Health Organization to conduct a study of the clinical and
epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19. This research would enable better
understanding of the disease and therefore improved management of its symptoms and
spread. While things may be uncertain now, “we should all believe in the power of
scientific research,” Hamza said.

7. Harnessing The Strength of Communications

Jama jack is the head of communications of the medical research council unit for
the only covid-19 testing center in the gambia. For her, one of the biggest local
challenges is the information gap, so she created posters and videos busting myths about
coronavirus and published the materials in various gambian languages. “solidarity will
provide an opportunity for the sharing of correct information, and this can help to
minimize the potential for panic,” jama said.

Similarly, editor, producer, and presenter robert mukondiwa provides daily

updates to zimbabweans (and the rest of the world) about his country’s efforts to tackle
covid-19. Through informative programming at zimpapers tv network, robert is
influencing others to engage in helpful behavior changes such as social distancing and
self-isolation.

8. Delivering Food and Sanitation

In a time when essentials are scarce, young activists are working to fill the needs
of their communities. Community development for peace (cdp) founder muhammad
ferdaus works through his organization to distribute dry food and sanitation kits to daily
laborers — such as street vendors and rickshaw pullers — in bangladesh. Since dhaka’s
lockdown has made maintaining health and safety especially difficult in the slum area of
korail, muhammad gives these residents hygiene products and provides training on how
to keep their surroundings clean.
 Social activist krishna maheshwari is also providing free meals to families in
pakistan. His self-initiated service prioritizes single women and widows, as well as
workers whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the crisis.

9. Engaging Elected Officials and Lawmakers

As a lawyer, Bernarda Ordóñez Moscoso used her role as legal advisor at the
National Assembly of Ecuador to secure funding for COVID-19 response. After Bernarda
urged political parties to donate money they had set aside for election campaigning, the
President of Ecuador announced that the government would channel these reserves into
fighting the pandemic. Often, violence against girls and women tends to skyrocket in
times of crisis. In response, Bernarda is also helping implement a protocol to address the
safety of girls and women during the emergency.

10. Ensuring The Most Vulnerable Are Not Left Behind

Several reports show that those in humanitarian settings, particularly groups who
are displaced and/or living in camps, may experience the direst effects of COVID-19.
Young people like Muzna Dureid are raising their voices to make sure these populations
don’t get left behind in the crisis. As Liason Officer at White Helmets, a volunteer
organization that has gained international attention for rescuing wounded civilians during
Syria’s civil war, Muzna advocates for a “global effort of expertise, technology, money,
and materials to save lives everywhere, including in Syria,” where crowded refugee
settlements leave girls and women especially vulnerable to the disease. “The ceasefire is
the only way to deliver medical products,” Muzna said.

SOURCES

1. 10 Tips for Staying Motivated During the Pandemic -

https://www.washington.edu/ima/2021/02/12/10-tips-for-staying-motivated-during-the-
pandemic/
2. Raising Student Motivation During the Pandemic -
https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/raising-student-
motivation-during-the-pandemic/

3. How The Quarantine Became a Time for ‘Self-Motivated’ Online Learning -

https://www.cnn.ph/life/culture/2020/6/2/independent-online-learning.html

4. 10 Ways Young People Are Leading the Way Against Covid-19 -

https://womendeliver.org/2020/10-ways-young-people-are-leading-the-way-against-
covid-19/