[Teacher-talklearning] #12:

*According to this video, there are three major factors which influence
motivation:*

· Self concept, content/subject, and environment

 As I look over the above examples, I realize that teachers must work with
those realities. Teachers don’t have absolute control over those three
variables, however, they can impact all three to a degree. Environment is
largely a function of teacher approach. Creating a safe place within which
students can question and challenge and be challenged is largely the
responsibility of the teacher. The content “is what it is” in that there
are parts of any curriculum which must be presented, thrilling or not. How
teachers package the information so as to make it as interesting and
engaging as possible is within their locus of control. Finally, students do
come to us with varying degrees of self-esteem. Those things are realities.
And in the cases of extreme Emotional/Behavioral challenges, those
self-esteem issues can interfere with not only motivation but the ability
to learn even when motivated.

As I watched the video, I wondered why the issue of interfering thoughts or
concerns didn’t get mentioned. As I see those three factors identified, I
realize that, on any given day, a student may be distracted by family
concerns, social concerns, other academic or school concerns, etc. Students
who come to classrooms with that mental baggage might not be motivated to
stretch themselves to learn on that day. I realize that this is not
something over which we, as educators, have much control. I do think that
it influences motivation and I think that we should be mindful of it.

-- 
Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants
happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do
other creatures.
                                                                *---The
Dalai Lama*
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