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Building intrinsic motivation
In recent years schools have increasingly come to recognise that intrinsic, or self-motivation is a much more powerful driver of learning and achievement.
Intrinsic motivation assumes that we are all born with an innate capacity to learn and that learning is generally a natural and enjoyable activity. Young people are driven by intrinsic factors such as the love of learning and natural curiosity. Intrinsic motivation is powerful because children have had a genuine interest in the goal itself, as distinct from the reward. The knowledge and skills required to achieve the goal are 'intrinsically' related to the goal. In pursuing the goal, they learn in a context in which they can later use the knowledge and skills acquired. This is why, for example, people develop a deeper level of skills and knowledge in the pursuit of hobbies.
The challenge for schools, teachers, parents and young people is to tap into, nurture and build upon this intrinsic self-motivation.
