ED102 explains that the instructor has some responsibility for motivating students; no argument there. Morale however is almost as important as motivation, and morale is what the instructor perhaps has more influence over. Motivation is often influenced by factors, consequences, outcomes and threat or reward, many of which the students arrived in the classroom with. Morale is often a result of environment. The instructor I believe has more control over the moral in the classroom than motivational factors, and therefore should take steps to ensure morale is prevelant in the learning environment. Cultivating morale in the learning environment contributes to the learner's sense of security, safety, feeling or being welcomed and included, supported and needed, and untimately success and accomplishment in the course and program. One little statement which helps to boost morale and to motivate students, is to suggest that tests are not tools utilized for determining what a learner does not know, rather for highlighting what a learner does know. Anxiety and worry about failing is replaced with excitement and determination to show what has been accomplished or achieved. Perhaps this is a different perspective than what we have encountered in traditional education, however in an environment of adult learners in technical or vocational programs, traditional education is not quite enough.
Clifton
