Open AccessWhat Motivates a Lifelong Learner?
Author(s) -
Sherry R. Crow
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw6976
Subject(s) - deci , lifelong learning , disposition , psychology , pedagogy , adult learner , mathematics education , adult education , social psychology , political science , autonomy , law
Lifelong learners are people who display an attitude and ability that prompts them to learn across their life spans. Even in the testing environment of United States schools today, a goal of library media specialists is to help children become lifelong learners. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT, Deci & Ryan, 1985) provides a framework for examining a positive disposition toward learning, or the motivation to learn: the key attribute of a lifelong learner. Additional areas explored include contributions of school library research toward an understanding of student motivation, suggestions for further areas of study, and implications for school libraries.