motivation

Consider the steps in the teaching process described above (or any process when you have had to teach something to someone):

Step 1 could be thought of as motivation: the student must want to learn.

In the example above, you were asked by someone to teach him or her to drive. Thus, the motivation to learn already existed: your student wanted to learn to drive. If you have ever tried to teach something to someone who has not been motivated to learn, or if you have ever been an unmotivated student yourself, you will appreciate the role motivation plays in the teaching process.

Each of you reading this is already motivated to learn. You have your goals, hopes and dreams and these serve as your motivation: whether it is a good job, an education or putting yourself in a position to help yourself, others, or those whom you love.

Step 2 could be thought of as to define the terms of discourse (exchange of ideas).

Defining one's terms is essential, because if the person you are teaching does not understand what you mean by "steering wheel" or "parking brake", then he or she would definitely not be able to learn to operate the vehicle.

Defining one's terms as a fundamental step in communication at any time with any person about anything.

For example, suppose you are discussing "love" with someone. Well, there are many kinds of love, including parental love, spousal (romantic) love, love of family, the love one has for one's friends, and so on. You would find it necessary to clarify what type of "love" you are discussing before proceeding.

Or suppose you are a student, receiving a writing assignment from a teacher. You would want to make sure that you understand the assignment, and this might mean understanding the meaning of some of the terms the teacher uses (employs) to make the assignment.

For example, several of the exercises suggested in this book involve the direction: "Write a critical essay discussing (a topic)" As a student, you might want to know what is meant by "critical". If this were not made this, you must ask for a definition.

A critical essay is one that analyses an issue or provides an analysis of an issue. "To analyze" means to identify the component parts. An analysis is a presentation of the parts. A critical essay about love, for example, might "analyze" the concept of love by identifying and defining the different types of love.

When asked for a critical essay about love, you should think about the concept (idea) and offer some definitions of the term "love" and perhaps some observations about the significance of or role of love in human life.

Or your assignment might be more specific. You might be asked for a critical essay that compares and contrasts the different types of love. Your task would be to identify characteristics (aspects, elements, parts) of the different types of love that are similar (compare) and those that are different (contrast).

Or, if your professor asked for a critical essay about the teaching process, he or she might expect something involving the different steps in the teaching process, (such as you are doing now, for example).