Motivation Part 2

The two issues that I have been asked to discuss is ZPD and SLT in regards to motivation.  These are important factors that need to be addressed.  The first issue is ZPD.  I have noticed in my practicum that when the students are allowed to pick out books to read by themselves, they choose books that are far too easy.  They know that they will be able to do the assignment because it's easy and way below their ZPD.  They are motivated to do it because they know it won't take that much work.  As a teacher, I will need to give them that extra push to put them in the zone of proximal development, but make sure I don't push them past it.  What I teach has to be challenging enough to allow them to learn something new, but not too challenging where they will be completely lost.  If I can keep them in their ideal ZPD they will hopefully be motivated to do the work because they know they can complete it.  The second issue is SLT, which is important to take into consideration.  Since students can learn from each other, they will be motivated to listen to what they have to say.  However, this can backfire horribly.  If one student is paired with someone who isn't motivated at all, that student will become unmotivated as well.  By using, and utilizing, the more knowledgeable peer the students will be more motivated because they can learn from a peer as opposed to listening to an authority figure.