Motivation to Learn among Secondary School Students

Mathematics plays a fundamental role in the life of human beings. It promotes logical and rational thinking and one''s ability to analyze and to solve problems. It is needed in our daily life and those who understand and can do mathematics will have significantly enhanced opportunities and options for shaping their future. Motivation contributes to the ability to solve problems since it will drive students to work harder for better performance. Effort is synonym for motivation as an individual who shows greater effort is considered to be motivated while one who is motivated will also show greater effort. This study found significant gender differences in motivation to learn mathematics between male and female secondary school students in Kenya. At school mathematics teachers have an opportunity to close the motivational gap on gender beliefs and behaviour and to challenge any underachievement in mathematics by boys and girls through instructional activities. This book suggests methods to help students improve on their self-concept and self-efficacy in mathematics.