Chalk Talk- ch. 3

Conley suggests that teachers use "motivation and self-directed learning, which includes building motivation to read and learn and providing students with the instruction and supports needed for independent learning tasks they will face after graduation." (p. 76, #3)

I believe that Conley was suggesting that teachers motivate their students and instill in them the desire to learn. If students have no desire to learn, they will not learn much outside of the classroom. The students may succeed in school, but will they succeed in life? It is similar to the proverb that says you can "give a man a fish, feed him for a day. But if you teach that man to fish, you'll feed him for life." If we teach our students enough to get them through the school year, they will succeed- for one year. But if we teach them how to be effective learners and give them the motivation to learn, we will help them succeed for the rest of their lives.

If students are motivated, they will be more likely to remember what they learn and it will be more meaningful to them. Teachers should relate lessons to their students' lives, as well as connect it to their prior knowledge. Teachers should also try to create interesting and engaging lessons and activities that will not only motivate the students to learn more, but also give them a deeper understanding of the content at hand.

Also, students do not always enter a classroom with the skills necessary to be great learners. Sometimes, teachers have to teach their students how to learn before they can teach them what to learn. Skills such as classifying, note-taking, summarizing, and self-reflection should be taught and practiced in the classroom.