Wagner discusses in this chapter what motivates individuals. He points out that people are motivated by basic needs, such as to have shelter and food. There is also the motivation to adhere to social norms. Wagner believes that these two motivational factors are becoming less emphasized. The third motivational force he points is that young people are becoming more motivated by “interest, desire, and passion” (Wagner, Pg. 205). Young people will work very hard when they are motivated by it. Overall, I agree with Wagner. I think students will be less distracted, have less behavioral problems, and take more interest in learning when it is something about which they are passionate.
I believe that often times students do not go into a course believing that it will be necessarily boring. Usually, the topic itself holds some sort of interest for a student. It is usually when students discover that they are expected to read a textbook, take some notes, and pass a test that they begin to develop a dislike for the content. However, I question whether they are experiencing dislike for the content, or how the content is presented. Through my observations in various classrooms I am beginning to believe it is the latter.
As a Social-Studies teacher I often heard students remark about how they find the subject a bore. Now I will not argue that every lesson required to be taught in a Social-Studies classroom is going to interest the young minds that will be represented in a classroom. However, in covering events from the beginning of time to modern times there must be something that a student could find remotely interesting. As a future educator I hope to help students find out what interests them whether it be art, music, people, or events in history. I believe students can find something they are passionate about in Social Studies and thus be motivated by it.
I believe that often times students do not go into a course believing that it will be necessarily boring. Usually, the topic itself holds some sort of interest for a student. It is usually when students discover that they are expected to read a textbook, take some notes, and pass a test that they begin to develop a dislike for the content. However, I question whether they are experiencing dislike for the content, or how the content is presented. Through my observations in various classrooms I am beginning to believe it is the latter.
As a Social-Studies teacher I often heard students remark about how they find the subject a bore. Now I will not argue that every lesson required to be taught in a Social-Studies classroom is going to interest the young minds that will be represented in a classroom. However, in covering events from the beginning of time to modern times there must be something that a student could find remotely interesting. As a future educator I hope to help students find out what interests them whether it be art, music, people, or events in history. I believe students can find something they are passionate about in Social Studies and thus be motivated by it.