Motivation is a key component to all parts of life; if a person is not motivated to do something, it will simply not be done.

​

Motivation stems from interest, enjoyment, and attitude. This statement rings true with education, specifically in the subject of reading. Crow states, “Even though they possess the skills to learn, people who are not inclined, or motivated, to use them—will not” (2009). Students who are unmotivated are at a disadvantage to their peers who are motivated because the opportunity for growth and improvement is lacking. In turn, lack of motivation affects student engagement and overall academic achievement. If a student has the perception that the task at hand is unimportant, boring, and unenjoyable, they will not be inclined to partake in the task.

​

So, how do educators motivate students who are unwilling or uninterested in being engaged in a specific content area?

​

Research indicates that there are many factors that play into student motivation, engagement, and achievement. These factors include, but are not limited to: student interest and attitudes toward learning, intrinsic motivation, teacher-student relationships, self-concept and accountability, effective instructional strategies, and the learning environment as a whole. Research encompassing each of these areas was reviewed and the impact on student learning and overall impact on the classroom were taken into consideration.