How can what we know about motivation to teach improve the quality of initial teacher education and its practicum?

Motivation is what moves us to do something. It involves energy and drive to learn, work effectively, and achieve potential. Motivation also plays a large part in the interest and enjoyment of study (Martin, 2003). Research (e.g., Dowson & McInerney, 2003; McInerney, Maehr, & Dowson, 2004) suggests that salient motivations determine: (a) what activities people do or do not engage in ("attraction"), (b) how long they engage in these activities ("retention") and, (c) the depth to which they engage in these activities ("concentration"). Therefore, motivation may, determine what attracts individuals to teaching, how long they remain in their initial teacher education courses and subsequently the teaching profession, and the extent to which they engage with (concentrate on) their courses and the teaching profession (e.g., Martin, Marsh, & Debus, 2003)