Learning for Learning's Sake: A Phenomenological Study of Middle Schoolers' Motivations for Learning and Attitudes Toward School

This study tried to answer two research questions: (1) What motivates middle school; students? (2) How do middle school students feel about school, teachers, and learning? Using a qualitative phenomenological research methodology, I interviewed seven middle school students, asking them about their school experience, experience with tutoring, and experience with YouTube. The aim of this study was to learn about these students' lived-experiences when it came to those three areas, but also to learn what experience they have had or still have with social-emotional learning (SEL). From these interviews and subsequent analysis, three main themes emerged: kids like to learn, school can feel like a chore, and students need connection. I ultimately recommended that students need the following: engaging content; technology that is integrated, understood and used well social-emotional learning that works for students; relationships that matter to students; and a shift away from grades.