How Can Students Be Motivated: A Misplaced Question?

• DOI: 10.3200/tchs.81.2.81-86
• Publication Date: 2007-12-21T17:06:10Z
• Authors: Richard F. Bowman
• Keywords: Greatness; Passions

Great teachers understand the fundamental difference between motivation and inspiration: is self-focused inspiration other focused. Exceptional guide students to greatness by inspiring them discover where their talents passions intersect. For today's besieged classroom teacher, desire motivate often springs from a place of self-concern: "I want change your behavior with reward or incentive so that, if you meet targets goals I set for you, this will help me my own needs goals." Students are highly motivated perform when they first come school. The question not "how can be motivated?" but rather, educators deterred diminishing—even destroying—student morale through policies practices?"