The Role of the Practice Mentor Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

The Role of the Practice Mentor - Research Paper Example However, when prior knowledge is inaccurate, activated, inappropriate or insufficient for the task or inert it can interfere with or impede new learning. Students obviously make connections between pieces of knowledge. Those connections form knowledge structures that are meaningfully organized and accurate and hence the students are well able to apply and retrieve their knowledge efficiently and effectively. (Sullivan & Glanz, 2005. p97-101). Conversely, when knowledge is connected in random ways or inaccurately, students fail to apply or retrieve it appropriately (Bigge & Shermis,1998. pp210-231). Students’ motivation decides, sustains and directs what they do to learn. As students go into college and gain greater independence over how, when and what they learn and study, motivation plays a vital role in guiding the persistent quality and direction of the learning manners in which they indulge. When students find positive value in a learning activity or goal, they are likely to be strongly motivated to learn. This happens when they perceive support from their environment and expect to achieve the desired learning outcome. Students must practice  to acquire component skills and integrate them, know when to apply what they have learned to help develop mastery (Bigge & Shermis1998 pp210-231). Students must develop not only the component knowledge and skills necessary to perform complex tasks but that also practice on integrating and combining them to develop greater fluency. Finally, students must learn how and when to relate the knowledge and skills they learn. For instructors, it is significant that they build up the consciousness of these elements.