The Scott Willis article on motivating students deals with the different ways that motivation in the classroom has been addressed. He uses examples from Frued, Skinner, Brophy, and several professors of education. He feels that it is a mistake to try to "make learning always fun or using extrinsic rewards". His philosophy is that teachers do not always take into account that in attempting to motivate students they are actually decreasing students' desire to put forth effort in school.

Willis uses a Brophy example stating that trying to make learning always fun is impossible and creates a counterproductive mindset in students. He continues by saying that using extrinsic rewards conveys that learning is unpleasant and not to be pursued for its own sake. These two statements fly in the face of Frued and Skinners' theories of motivation. Willis says there is a need for developing strategies to address this problem and he uses an example from Hermine Marshall that asks the question, "What if the kid is trying hard enough, but still not succeeding?". He continues to talk about the ways teachers motivate students that make them feel inadequate or make them think they have a low ability level. While all of this information is worthwhile, Willis does not offer much in the way of solutions to these problems.

I do feel this article is valid and that these issues need to be addressed. I have had many experiences while teaching, where I have observed teachers motivating in ways that are counterproductive and do not teach students why learning is important. It is my feeling that these teachers are looking for the easiest way to get through the day, not how to help students learn to learn. My hope is that Willis will followup with a good article by offering some alternate motivational techniques or ways to address this problem.