Chapter 3: Learning and Transfer (b)

Motivation to Learn (60)

“Social opportunities also affect motivation. Feeling that one is contributing something to others appears to be especially motivating (61).”

With the exception of journal entries, I always ask for volunteers to read their poems or paragraphs in front of the class. When my students wrote Cinquain Poems in Composition II and Chorus, they were so proud of their work when I posted it in my classroom. I noticed that some of them patted each other on the back for a job well done.

“Learners of all ages are more motivated when they can see the usefulness of what they are learning and when they can use that information to do something that has an impact on others—especially their local community (61).”

McComs, Pintrinch, and Schunk 1996

When I read this statement, I immediately thought of NDHS’s Annual Songfest/Family Night. Songfest is the school’s biggest event. It is a tradition which calls for each class to compose an original song about their lives at Notre Dame. Students create everything for the event…the song, choreography, and props. At the end of the evening, parents and guardians witness what their children are learning at Notre Dame. They are developing their writing skills (lyrics), collaborative skills (learning about leadership in history and government classes), math skills (the value of a beat in the song), and music and physical skills (harmonizing and choreography).

The public is invited to this annual event, and every year it moves and does create an impact on those who attend. Every year I am proud of my students and all that they do to make use of what we teach them.