ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on research on variations in, and enhancement of, motivation in educational settings, and the factors associated with motivation in these contexts. In terms of research, motivation can be considered the study of why individuals perform tasks as they do. It focuses on the task of learning to read and research that has provided a basis for an understanding of how reading is acquired. Learning something new has the potential to be both exciting and rewarding. There are also task-specific aspects to motivation, and the factors that influence motivation, which means that the task to be learnt is an important consideration. The chapter also provides an overview of this book. The book considers a range of specific learning difficulties and focuses on theories and practice related to motivation itself. The book considers some of the main theories about motivation that have influenced educational practice, with a focus on different areas related to learning difficulties.
