There is a common confusion that classroom behavior and motivation are closely related. However, responsible behavior does not necessarily prompt motivation to learn.
The data suggest that 50% of teachers leave the profession within five years because of poor student behavior. But control and compliance in behavior do not create a climate of academic achievement.
We prepare teachers to teach reading, writing, arithmetic and other useful skills and worthwhile information leading to knowledge—and, hopefully, wisdom. Unfortunately, teachers are not taught that which is most essential when first entering the classroom: How to motivate for responsible behavior AND motivate students to want to put forth effort in their learning.
As I often demonstrate in a simple exercise in my seminars to schools, “Obedience does not create desire.”
More ideas on this topic are available at http://marvinmarshall.com.
