What motivates you to learn?
Through much of our schooling years, we are simply motivated by the ever-present notion that success in school results in success in life. We are led to believe that good grades in high school means acceptance to a more prestige college; a prestigious college means a better education and more meaningful degree; a more meaningful degree results in a better career; a good career means more money; and more money means more happiness. But my question for you is what ever happened to learning for learning’s sake?
As previously stated, I used to agree completely with learning now as a means to achieve success later in life, however, the readings discussed in class today have caused a drastic change in how I view the motivation behind my learning. Lucky for me, this new motivation is something I can carry out of the classroom into this “real world” which already exists. The key to achieving such sought after success later down the road does not lie in meeting set requirements and passing classes, but in each moment leading up to the completion of these requirements and/or classes. Simply put, our success is happening now, not later in life.
Yes, the knowledge we gain now furthers our success later, but if success is essentially achieving happiness, how can one say that success has not already been achieved or is being achieved each and every day? Our success or overall happiness with life does not lie in our end goal of graduating college and making something of ourselves, but in the journey that leads us there. Our success and happiness is happening now and we need to take a moment to just enjoy the ride.
Enjoying what your learning today regardless of what it may bring you years from now will likely cause a noticeable change in your motivation as it did for me. When you replace the want to succeed later with a realization that you are succeeding already, you will begin to learn for learning’s sake; you will begin to learn for your own sake. When we become able to answer why we will learn, the idea of what we will learn becomes much less important as we come to realize that all the rewards are received throughout the journey and not as one prize as we cross the finish line.
So ask me again what my motivation is for learning?
I learn for current success. I learn for learning’s sake. I learn for happiness. But most of all, I learn for myself. If I do not value learning for my own sake, who ever will?
I admit I'm at a loss for words now.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that this influenced you to such a degree.
Methinks you have a very valid point with the "the world already exists". We grow up being sheltered (to an degree) by our parents (or equivalent figure). At which point are we aware of the "real world"? When we can go out there and do something? When we have to carry the consequences of our actions? When we can make decisions? When we can't get our parents to solve our problems? I don't know.
Thanks Erin, for a very thought provoking post. I'll probably be musing about that all night... There goes my sleep.
There are many reasons why people need to learn new things. Some are required to learn new things either for a job or just a class. Others learn for necessity and finally some of us learn because we are curious. My motivation to learn is curiosity. Everybody is born with curiosity, babies and toddlers are always curious about their environment yet as we grow up that curiosity begins to diminish. But I'm still curious about many things in life. Some things take your whole life to learn while others you can learn in a short time. Curiosity is one thing that separates men from animals. I learn not to be called a smart or educated man, I learn for my own purpose. Of course there are some things that I learn because I have to and there is no way around it such as classes that I don't enjoy but I have to take them because they are required for graduation. But even if I didn't liked the class I still learn some things. So my motivation for learning is just curiosity nothing more.
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ReplyDeleteThough the whole post has made an impact one particular line stuck out to me
ReplyDelete"what ever happened to learning for learning’s sake?"
You could not have said it better and I feel the exact same way after not only today but my first week at Westminster. I am beginning to realize learning for the sake of learning is the most important thing I can do.
We are brought up through our learning career to prepare for the next level and not only prepare but fear the next level.
So i'll agree, when can we just stop and enjoy the ride?
But in the last few days I have realized that high school, junior high, etc. Was filled with me learning in order to reach something else, not to learn about something. I memorized, and recited, and tested but looking back I didn't savor what I should have. How many times did I "feel" the text I was reading rather than just buzz through it for Monday's exam? I want to enjoy learning, so here I am, and I'm ready to do so.
Kudos on the post, Erin I agree with Duncan.
I agree with the fact that the "real world" has always existed in our lives. However, I understand why the term is preseented to high school and College students alike.
ReplyDeleteIn my way of seeing the matter, it all depends where you're standing. It is all about perspective. For instance, if I were to debate the idea that living in the "real world" is the simple definition of "breathing" for the first time; then yes, I would be right. But, if I require economical dependance from my parents to survive and keep arguing that I am in the "real world", then I would be wrong.
This is so because society and culture in a large scale defines our way to think, to perceive situations and different opinions. Therefore, living in our culture is not good enough to be in the "real world". To take the "red pill" is to be economically independent and productive to your countries economical satisfaction.
Do I agree with this? No, but I do comprehend why most of us our told to be trapped inside mom and dad's safe bubble.
Like most everyone who's posted, I agree that I love to "learn for learning's sake". But for me, this motivation alone isn't always enough to push me further into my studies. I need to have goals and motivation independent from myself sometimes to get me to delve into my philosophy homework. I don't necessarily have goals that are generated from fear of the mythical "real world" (like having a highly paid career, or going on to prestigious graduate school), because I know if I was motivated by those fears I would eventually sacrifice learning for learning's sake.
ReplyDeleteMy motivation stems from the fact that I am a part of a society, and I want to impact that society as much as I can. I want to be educated in something I'm passionate about in the hopes that my knowledge and passion may have an influence beyond myself someday.
The concept of learning for learning's sake is a very important concept that many people do not understand or agree with. When I am asked what I plan to do with my English major after I graduate, many people are baffled when I answer that I don't know. It is baffling to them that I wish to major in English simply for the fact that I love to read and write, not because I think that it will someday make me rich. The learning community that I have experienced at Westminster is drastically different from what I experienced at my high school. The professors are enthusiastic to teach and the students are eager to learn. I have encountered so many students that are at Westminster to learn for the sake of learning and because they value their education. I think it is important to remember, as you said, that we are successful everyday we learn something new. Success is not defined solely by the job that we receive after graduation. I hope that throughout my years as a college student I never forget this important truth.
ReplyDeleteMy motivation for learning comes from knowing that some of the things I learn now I will be able to apply in a profession later.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I may not really enjoy learning about writing mechanics right now, that knowledge will allow me to write confidently in the workplace without fear of looking like an under-qualified loser. The things I’m learning now are tools that may (or may not) become useful future. Either way, I’ll be prepared.
That being said, we’ve all encountered classes that we just hate. I can only “enjoy the ride” and enjoy the learning process in classes where I ENJOY THE MATERIAL! I’m sure nobody learns “for learning’s sake” in all their classes. For example, I hate math but I put up with it so I can fulfill my requirements to graduate. I absorb equations, regurgitate them on tests, and then promptly forget them a week after the class is over. In this example, the “Banking Concept” process doesn’t bother me because math classes are just hoops I need to jump through to get a degree.
For me, loving what I do (and being really good at it) is happiness. My education will allow me to discover a career I love, and give me the tools I need to be really good at it.
I completely agree with Oscar on what motivates me to learn. It is simply curiosity. When I am interested in a certain subject, I learn it very easily because I make an effort to research it, take classes related to it, and ask others about it. Throughout grade school, choosing classes was very limited. Because of this, I took some classes that were of interest to me, but also others that were so boring. It was very hard to keep myself motivated in the boring classes, and I was not very successful in doing so either. I always ended up getting the worst grades in these classes, and never seemed to learn very much from them. Hence, briefly put, the only way I truly learn and retain information, is by self-motivation, and my self-motivation stems from my curiosity.
ReplyDeleteMotivation for me is all about curiosity. I honestly cannot retain information if I don't find it interesting. Naturally everyone wants to better themselves by learning or experience but to be honest, who feels they are bettering themeless by taking a college algebra. I learn it, i forget it a year later. Even 6 months later, I can't really say i've ever used a logarithm in this "real world". So motivation is only there from interest otherwise its just another struggle to obtain the best grade. Kevin's hit the nail on the head. The banking concept's way of teaching really works for classes you don't find interesting cause like kevin said they are just hoops to jump through. Learning is inevitable, and comes from everywhere so honestly even if your not motivated your going to learn through experience regardless.
ReplyDeleteI respect the fact that so many people in our learning community learn to learn, and I wish that I could say that I agree, however I don't. Maybe its only because we have been here for a couple weeks and the idea hasn't had time to set in yet or maybe its because I just don't like going to school. I love having good conversations and learning more about certain areas of life, but for me those usually aren't areas you cover in a class room. So I can agree that I am motivated by the curiosity to learn; learn more about skiing or biking or cars. Also by the curiosity to experience things I never have, and never will again. However I must say my motivation for coming to schoool is purely for happiness. The things that make me happy cost money. So if I can get a job to pay for those things, I will be happy. That is my motivation.
ReplyDeleteMy motivation to learn is happiness. I want to do what the things that make me happy. I love traveling and I love skiing, if I want to be able to do these things in the future I'll have to get a good job to pay the expenses. I dislike doing homework and learning just to do it or to say I did it. I'd rather take a course on world travel than a course on history. This is because though it may be important to know what has happened in the past, I would much rather learn about the world now because it affects me more in the things I strive to do. To sum things up, I want to learn so I can have a successful future and so I can travel the world.
ReplyDeleteWow that is alot to think about. What motivates me to learn. I love learning new things so for me in part, it is learning to learn, but often when I am in school I learn to get an A or learn the material so I can do well on the test. I like the thought that you can use the information that you learn right now and have it be applicable to your life. I love to think that way in class when we start a new lesson and I may be able to use this information not just to pass the test. And really use that information in my life. It is awsome that Erin is learning for herself and for happiness too. That is very interesting that you can learn right now for happiness today not for the future happiness that is often sought after.
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