No offense, Mr. Grdinic, but my main motivation to learn science is to achieve a high GPA, thereby getting into a good college and having the opportunity to pursue other interests. I have always been interested in English and writing as my main academic interest; I am motivated to learn chemistry for the sake of my academic future. Because I do not plan on pursuing science-related fields in the future, it is hard for me to cultivate significant intrinsic motivation. My motivation is very much extrinsic, as I have stated above. Now that I am enrolled in this course, I try to put all of my mind toward it when it is time for me to be focused on it. As long as I am here, I will do the best I can to learn about the world and gain experience in various fields. However, I will not deny that I am much more intrinsically motivated to produce a good short story than to balance an equation. It's just the way I am wired. I was interested in reading books when I was little, not playing with a chemistry set. It's weird, because a lot of the time chemistry is much easier for me than other subjects, so it can be a good relief and encouraging feeling to succeed in this class when I am sometimes struggling in English, in which I am very intrinsically motivated.
9 comments:
I think its easy to see chemistry this way, and the majority of the student body would agree with you. I also can relate to the fact that you do not want to pursue a career in chemistry, as I feel like its not the field for me either.
Hmm I think I was being too noble in my blog. While I do want to do well in my other science courses, the GPA is still a pretty big factor in wanting to do well. College, future jobs, entrance exams etc. all kind of a big deal. I don't think teachers should really take offense to that though, plenty of their brightest students learn for the purpose of getting an A. Even though some don't have the most gallant reasons, at least they're learning.
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Marge,
I have the same motivation as you do. I would much rather just get a good grade than bother with the actual learning of the material. There are some exception to that, if the topic is very interesting (which often is not the case) I will work to learn, but most of the time if I can get a good grade without working too hard I will do it.
Margot, even though you are not going to pursue a science related field in the future, I think its great that you still have the motivation to do well in chemistry and do all the work necessary to satisfy your other goals. I agree with the fact that one must take classes that they may not be interested in but many others merely just blow off the classes they don't particularly care about. You are awesome Margot!!!!!
At least you like English.
In other countries, you might already know what course of study you will be pursuing in college. Maybe in the next two years you'll change your mind (Especially after we get a brand new English teacher next year). Think of chemistry as a chance to grow and expand your thinking.
I actually have almost the exact opposite feelings that you have towards the subjects. I'm never intrisically motivated i english class, but I am motivated intrisically in science because of my interest in learning how things function, like the universe. I really couldn't care less about shakespeare and his weird language, but I'm forced to learn about it for the sake of my academic future. So I agree with your thoughts on learning just with the opposite classes.
Margot,
I think that it is great that you have a desire to learn subjects in school even if you don't like them. I too feel the strain of trying to stay focused in a subject that I really don't like. Good Work.
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