I think part of the problems with motivating students (and adolescents/children in general) is that there are a huge range of arguments that adults make, that the younger folk may actually have a valid counterargument for, but are unable to express it because it shows a lack of respect for the adult. An example of this happened today in school, as I was struggling to explain to a student why it was useful / important to complete Living Environment labs, and one of the immediate arguments that came to mind was that “You need it to graduate”. This is a circular argument, which kids can intuitively spot in a heartbeat –
Student: “Why, as an adult, do you feel that it’s important for me to take this class?”
Teacher: “Because you need it to graduate.”
Student: “Why do I need to graduate?”
Teacher: “Because the State mandates it.”
Student: “Why does the State mandate that I must graduate from high school?”
Teacher: “Because they feel that an education is the foundation necessary to become a functioning part of our society.”
Student: “How did they arrive at this conclusion?”
Teacher: “It was voted into Law by our government.”
Student: “So, if I may paraphrase, a group of adults representing a larger group of adults voted this mandate into Law because they felt that it was important for me to have this education before entering the adult world?”
Teacher: “Yes.”
Student: “And if I may simplify my prior statement, it’s because a group of adults felt that it was important?”
Teacher: “Yes.”
Student: “So you, an adult, are telling me that the reason it’s important for me to take this class, is because a group of adults felt that it was important to take this class?”
Teacher: “Oh.”
Now, most students would tend to keep it at a less detailed level:
Student: “Why, as an adult, do you feel that it’s important for me to take this class?”
Teacher: “Because you need it to graduate.”
Student: “That sounds like bullsh*t to me…”
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Oh well. Gotta find some more authentic reasons…
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