The word motivation comes from the Latin movere which means "to move". The definition of motivation is the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. A student who has the desire to do read is intrinsically motivated. If a student is intrinsically motivated they have a positive self concept. These intrinsically motivated students have had successful, positive experiences with reading. For struggling readers there is no intrinsic motivation. They do not have a positive self concept. They have unsuccessful and negative experiences with reading.
Some researchers believe that teachers should look beyond labeling students as motivated or unmotivated. It is more important to consider the nuances of motivation of individual students. We have to look at a student's motivational disposition.
Assessing the motivational disposition of 20 students seems daunting. But consider that in general students are intrinsically motivated. The majority of children are curious, interested, autonomous, have a fear of failure, have a desire to succeed; these are all intrinsic motivators. It's the struggling learners whose "motivational dispositions" we have to unlock and that is often just two or three students in a class of twenty.
Teachers need to foster positive self concept and enhance a student's long-term intrinsic motivation.
to be continued...
Some researchers believe that teachers should look beyond labeling students as motivated or unmotivated. It is more important to consider the nuances of motivation of individual students. We have to look at a student's motivational disposition.
Assessing the motivational disposition of 20 students seems daunting. But consider that in general students are intrinsically motivated. The majority of children are curious, interested, autonomous, have a fear of failure, have a desire to succeed; these are all intrinsic motivators. It's the struggling learners whose "motivational dispositions" we have to unlock and that is often just two or three students in a class of twenty.
Teachers need to foster positive self concept and enhance a student's long-term intrinsic motivation.
to be continued...