I just completed the course ED112, motivation of the adult student and found, simply, that I was doing multiple thing incorrectly. I think I have been fostering an environment which was demotivating. Little things, like waiting to respond to a a wrong answer, in order to figure out a way to subtly correct the answer, without wrecking the security level of the student, has not been happening in my classroom. I don't flat call anyone out and belligerently chastise a students ability, but the subtle nuances which aid in establishing classroom security, have been faint. To use an analogy, this is the difference between putting a creature out of its misery and/or allowing it to die a slow and agonizing death. At least if I was upfront making fun of them, they would no my position and could possibly develop their own sense of security or choose not to be in my class, quickly, rather than sit through multiple agonizing classes void of motivation. Is the absence of motivation can be as negative as negative motivation, in and of itsself?