Real World Experiences Motivate Learners

Is it cheaper to buy items in bulk? I was recently reading a blog post by Alice Keeler called “Burger King is Bad at Math” which provides a great example of being a mindful consumer.
http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/11/06/burger-king-is-bad-at-math/ This article talks about the price of items on the Burger King menu and how it is cheaper to purchase items individually as oppose to buying a meal “deal.” All too often students and adults alike do not stop to do the math. We often assume that if items are packaged together or sold in bulk that they must be less expensive.

Real life situations such as this one ignite passion and motivate students to learn because they feel personally connected to what they're being taught when they see the significance of applying the material in real life. They take ownership of their learning while becoming motivated to further explore and make meaning of new found knowledge. When students are engaged they persist even when they experience difficulties and feel a sense of satisfaction when they successfully complete a task.

It is essential that students are given the opportunity to connect to the real world through their interests, experiences, or through significant issues that are compelling to them. These opportunities stimulate critical thinking and problem solving abilities as students dig deeper to explore the possibilities of each scenario. These skills are necessary to prepare our students to live in an interconnected and diverse world beyond the four walls of the classroom.