Abstract
M.Ed.
This study was aimed at investigating some of the factors influencing the motivation
(willingness to learn) of secretarial students at the Technikon Witwatersrand. After the relevant literature had been studies, empirical information was obtained by means of a questionnaire specially compiled for this purpose. This questionnaire was completed by all first year students who registered at the Secretarial School in 1983 and an analysis of the responses was made. It became evident from the literature that the personality of the first year student is still in a stage of development and is consequently subject to much change. Advanced cognitive abilities must therefore in this phase of life be further development together with the personality. At the same time, the establishment of a positive self image and own identity during this period, is a prerequisite for a meaningful willingness to learn and for the student to identify with a particular future career. It needs to be mentioned that a student who has a negative self image as a result of unsatisfactory learning progress at school, may anticipate further failure at tertiary level. This anticipation of unsatisfactory future learning progress has a restraining effect on the student's willingness to learn. A person generally has an intense desire to prove himself or to realise his potential. Self actualization is possible, inter alia, by achieving success in some area. When a person becomes aware of a gap in his existing cognitive frame of reference, he may also search for the cause of this uneasy feeling and attempt in future to avoid similar con flicting incidents.There has until now been no research into the factors influencing the motivation (willingness to learn) of the secretarial students at the Technikon Witwatersrand. In the course of this study, factors that have a negative influence on the motivation of this group of learners were identified. Further research on learning motivation in this school is essential in order to gain more insight into the problem areas mentioned.