Motivation to learn. Fact sheet 13/2020.

Motivation to learn refers to the willingness or desire to initiate and engage in the process of learning. Motivation is not something people have or do not have. Instead, motivation is a thought process that everyone can do. It involves identifying one's goals and breaking them down into manageable chunks, allowing people to figure out where and how to direct actions or apply effort. This thought process can be influenced by external factors or extrinsic motives (such as reward and encouragement from others) and internal factors or intrinsic motives (such as personal interest). Learning can happen anytime and anywhere. In school, motivation for learning can have a profound influence on students' effort, persistence and choices in the classroom in the short term, and can affect students' academic achievements in the long term. Making an effort and seeing one's positive achievements can in turn influence one's motivation to learn generally.