Chapter 6 - Motivation and Boredom

How many times as students have we sat in classroom or riding home on the bus told our friends how we were "bored to tears" in the classes of the day. Chapter 6 deals with this very issue and how we, as teachers, can change the perception in our classrooms. The one theme that appeared familiar was the theme regarding making the information connect to the real world, which was a key component of the Meaningful Engaged Learning model. By identifying issues in the real world that have an impact on student's lives and make connections with the topics being discussed in class, it will make the information that much more memorable and more likely to be remembered after the test has been taken. The second half of the chapter deals with motivation and ensuring that students stay motivated during the entire lesson. This would be especially difficult in the instant access age and where students can find everything they need at the touch of a button and have no idea how to actually spent time in a library or reading books. The last, and perhaps most controversial, aspect of this chapter is on homework. The reading goes hand in hand with current research that shows that homework is ineffective in producing better grades. The student authors to take to task the inability of homework to make an impact or show relevance.

This chapter covered several major issues such as motivation, boredom, homework, and rationale for work being completed. I believe that motivation is divided equally among students, parents and teachers; understanding that any one of that triad may not provide a full share and others will have to accommodate for that piece. Homework can be a valuable tool in the learning process but, as the students discussed there needs to be a reason for and an explanation for the work. It is as important to revisit the homework and discuss questions as it is to actually look at the assignments and ensure the students see that you will hold them accountable for the work. We need to keep in mind that as we transition from the classroom of learning to the classroom of instruction how annoying it is when we feel that work is given to us in order to fill some time.