Importance of Maslow's Theory to Education
The most important educational goal is for students to learn. Another important goal is to make this newly gained knowledge and information purposeful and meaningful to the students so that it may be retained and useful throughout their lives. An essential factor involved in meeting these goals is motivation. If students are unmotivated in one way or another, it is likely that little learning will take place, or if by chance some learning should take place, it is probable that it will not be retained.
This theory has great impact on educational structure. In order to maximize on the effectiveness of school-wide and individual classroom teaching programs, administrators and teachers must consider student needs and their hierarchal order. This must be a top priority in the development of these programs so that students have the capability of reaching their highest levels of potential. For instance, if a student has not had her breakfast before she comes to school, she will not be concentrating on learning; she will be preoccupied with the need for food. Because there are many children who come to school without a proper breakfast, school systems must meet this need by providing breakfast programs so that these children will be more likely to learn effectively.
Teacher's Role
I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom...As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or dehumanized (Ginott, 1976).
Jones & Jones (1990) showed that how teachers conduct their classrooms is a major factor directing students' motivation. Therefore, it is the responsibility of teachers to know