Why do learners exhibit certain behaviors over others? Why are there differences in the level of participatory engagement among learners? Why do some students persist while others give up? And what's with the attitude anyway?

Understanding learner motivation is critical to designing instructional systems. Learning objects and interfaces are much less effective when students are undermotivated to participate. Instructors and designers should carefully consider the myriad extrinsic and intrinsic variables that influence motivation.