Module 5

Motivation

Woolfolk defines motivation as "an internal state that arouses, directs, and maintains behavior" (p.463). The key word in this definition is "internal"; it is something from within a person that drives them to perform at their fullest potential. It is the emotions that are experienced that motivate a person to overcome challenges into becoming successful. An example, is a pro-basketball player desiring to become the best because of the emotions that arose when playing basketball, simply having love for the game. When reading about motivation in chapter 12, the manner in which we are educating students in today's society was brought to mind. I believe there are various teaching methods that provide space for student motivation based on the connections made between the students and learning content, but underneath this superficial motivation, comes external motivations, grades and test scores, that initially forces students' motivation to learn. With basing students' motivation in regards to grade point averages and test scores, the "internal state" of motivation is being somewhat lost, students natural curiosity to learn about their world is lost when politics and administrators are impelling a rushed curriculum on both teachers and students. I believe it is important to find these natural needs and motivations to learn with following the students needs and interests. As a future educator, I aim to devise a curriculum plan that meets the students' educational needs and elicits a natural motivation to learn.