Importance of Motivation

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses motivation as an important factor that decides the outcome of learning. The writer provides a brief overview of the subject of motivation in the context of its effect on the learning outcome. In the process, the writer studies some real life examples to illustrate how motivation greatly shapes success. The writer concludes that motivation is the single most important factor that decides the learning outcome of children. Further, the writer notes that even among adults, motivation is the vital characteristic that drives them to develop new relationships, continue to learn and accumulate knowledge, adapt new strategies and increase their leadership potential.


Outline:
Thesis
Introduction
Motivation
Motivation (Extrinsic and Intrinsic)
Theories of Motivation (Three Theories)
Reasons for Lack of Motivation
Improving Student Motivation
Real Life Examples
Helen Keller
Benjamin Franklin
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"According to the Attribution theory, the motivation level of students is largely determined by three factors namely, internal- external, Stable-unstable and controllable-uncontrollable. If students ascribe their failure to external or uncontrollable factors then motivation levels are considerably low. This is important because parents and teachers have considerable impact on students in terms of their expectations and the self-belief of the students. The Goal theory on the other hand revolves around what students perceive as the main reason for their achievement. Ability goal orientation and task goal orientation are the two different perceptions in the goal theory of motivation. In the first case students' view competence and display of skills as the motivating factors while in the latter self-improvement and knowledge accumulation are the main motivating factors. Studies have revealed that students with 'Task goal orientation' have better learning outcomes in terms of the quality, as they exhibit greater willingness to learn from their peers without any prejudice."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Penn State University, "What is Motivation", Accessed on 14th August 2006, Available at, http://www.ulc.psu.edu/studyskills/motivation.html
• ERIC, "Student Motivation to Learn", Accessed August 14th 2006, Available at, http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/Student_Motivatation.html
• Lepper, Mark R. "Motivational Considerations in the Study of Instruction." COGNITION AND INSTRUCTION 5, 4 (1988): 289-309
• Glenda Walsh & John Gardner, "Assessing the Quality of Early Years Learning Environments", Accessed August 14th 2006, Available at, http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v7n1/walsh.html
• Deci, E. L., Vallerand, R. U., Pelletier, L. G., & Ryan, R. M. (1991). Motivation and Education: The self-determination perspective. Educational psychologist, 26(3/4), 325- 346.

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