Influences on Learning
Interest is an imperative aspect of learning. When interest is developed, students experience desirable educational outcomes such as enhanced attention, effort, and learning (O'Donell, 2007). Attention is focus that is selective and limited, involves simultaneous experience, withdrawing from some objects and focusing on others, and the lack of attention is characterized by confusion and diffusion. Attention is important because in order for interest to develop the learner must focus on the topic while ignoring other aspects of his environment. Effort is exerting energy towards a particular task such as an activity, situation, or subject matter. Effort is related to the Interest Theory because in order to encourage interest, the learner must engage with the topic. Student’s effort allows for material to be more deeply processed and more easily remembered. Finally, learning is a relatively permanent change of behavior or knowledge as a result of experience. Learning is an important motivational pattern in the Interest theory because behavior and knowledge continue to change in relation to learner’s interest (O'Donell, 2007). Prior knowledge is an important aspect of the Interest Theory. Learners do not need experience with the topic, but they must be aware of the topic before they can become interested.
Situational interest also influences learning because situational interest is always motivating. It has been shown to have a positive influence on cognitive performances. Situational interest can be initiated by something in the environment such as a magazine in the waiting room, a text on a baseball team, or mathematics software. Situational and Individual interests are tied together. Individual interest also influences learning. Individual interest has a positive influence on attention, recognition, and recall. This interest also influences persistence and effort, academic motivation, and higher levels of learning (Hidi, 2006).
The catch and hold facets have a large influence on learning. Although catch facets are surface level interest, they can pave the way for future hold facets. Catch facets are important because they can catch the learners’ attention. Hold facets are also important because they allow for greater interest by encouraging meaningfulness and interaction with the particular subject (Mitchell, 1993).