Motivation and Lifelong Learning

Promoting lifelong learning has received increased attention recently from the educational and business communities. Scholars and trend forecasters, looking toward the needs of the 21st century, have reached nearly unanimous agreement about the importance of a constantly improving and technologically competent workforce that can compete in global markets. There is also general agreement about the importance of various attitudes or motivations as underlying lifelong learning in general and in particular technical fields. HOW can educational psychologists best apply what they know about motivation and learning to the issue of promoting lifelong learning attitudes and skills, from elementary through postsecondary educational levels, and in training settings that include business and industry? Implications for the role and preparation of educational psychologists for the 21st century include a greater emphasis on "grand theories" that integrate principles of learning and motivation, of cognition and affect, and thus address the whole person in context.