The Motivated School

The Motivated School is an important book. It addresses a number of key issues which are central to Scottish educational policy, including Better Behaviour: Better Learning, Inclusion and Raising Attainment. It is also a controversial book, challenging as it does "woolly thinking" on issues such as self-esteem, rewards and motivation to learn' - Scottish Education Review.

In the huge number of materials published over the past two decades on the topic of pedalgogical motivation, the book of Scottish psychologist-practitioner Alan McLean stands out. The author, based on his rich and varied experience of educational and pedagogical activity, as well as on critical reflection of a wide spectrum of theoretical studies, describes a comprehensive and dynamic model of the motivation of teaching and learning activities. This is not a trivial selection of hints and tips, although it has them too, but a thorough analysis of the whole set of reasons why some students are motivated for learning, while others with the same intellectual abilities are not.

McLean substantially enriches the ideas of self-determination theory and expands the effectiveness of its practical application to motivate learning. McLean presents a unique graphic model - the so-called circle of motivation. The presentation of layers of the motivational matrix graphic diagrams is a unique and exceptional feature of this book and is its greatest value both in the theoretical and practical aspects. Such geometrization of the theory of educational motivation will be especially useful for practitioners, as it will provide them with effective tools for reflection of a wide spectrum of both positive and negative strategies. - From the preface of the Ukrainian edition.