[Xmca-l] Re: Intrinsic / Extrinsic Motivation

[Andy Blunden]

Thanks for your very interesting observations, Lara.

I'd like to suggest a way of seeing what is intrinsic to 
college education, of how and why joy can be derived from 
learning a fact of history, a principle of nursing, the 
novelty of a particular author, or whatever. What makes it 
enjoyable? What is specific about this pleasure which is 
distinct from the pleasure of watching a movie or playing a 
computer game?

What is the object of College? At the lowest level of 
ethical development (above "Mum made me go!") it is the 
intention of gaining a job certificate for the welfare 
obtained by means of a wage.Instrumental from beginning to 
end. Nowadays, many governments conceive of colleges in a 
similarly instrumental way - to generate labour power to 
work in enterprises to generate profits. Few governments 
really understand the idea education in the humanities and 
sciences in the intention of raising the quality of social life.

Likewise, it is anticipation of participating in projects in 
which they will take a real interest in their working life 
which offers the possibility of gaining intrinsic joy from 
learning about various facts, principles, methods, 
innovations, etc., so later to be able to further the 
profession, raise the quality of social life, improve the 
lives of ill people, etc. On both sides it implies a mature 
conception of what college is /for/.

If that doesn't help, either they're not ready for college 
or the college is not offering something in which it is 
possible to get interested in.

Andy

------------------------------------------------------------
*Andy Blunden*
https://www.ethicalpolitics.org/ablunden/index.htm
On 26/08/2019 3:33 am, Lara Beaty wrote:
> Hi All.
>
> ...
>
> When I’m teaching community college students, however, the 
> simplicity of the terms is a useful tool for helping 
> students think about why they are in college, given that 
> most of them have never been exposed in any significant 
> way to the idea of doing college for the simple purpose of 
> knowing more and creating possibilities for new ways of 
> thinking. I keep hoping to help them find some joy in 
> learning and development.
>
> Best,
> Lara
>
>
>
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