Concerned that many students were barely surviving introductory chemistry rather than thriving, one college teacher used classroom research to assess and encourage student involvement and to understand students' difficulties with the material. Although student achievement has not risen measurably, students appreciate the techniques and participate…

A discussion of motivational techniques for promoting self-regulated learning in college students focuses on two methods students use to anticipate and negotiate the affective consequences of success and failure. The strategies, defensive pessimism and self-handicapping, are described and a study of their impact on self-regulated learning of 127…

Cooperative learning improves students' learning motivation in a diverse college student population by creating a favorable disposition toward the learning experience through personal relevance and choice; creating an understanding that learners are effective in learning something they value; and creating challenging, thoughtful learning…

Research and theory suggest that college students' motivation to learn is related to their epistemological beliefs. Faculty can promote student motivation by designing learning activities that facilitate student development of more sophisticated epistemological beliefs. Faculty developers can assist in this by giving special attention to the…

The ARCS (attention/relevance/confidence/satisfaction) model of motivational design provides a systematic seven-step approach to incorporating motivational tactics into instruction. Application of the ARCS model to computer-based instruction and distance education is examined, identifying specific design factors that address needs in each of the…

Self-regulated learning is an important component of learning for college students. Students must have greater awareness of their own behavior, motivation, and cognition and of positive motivational beliefs, and must practice self-regulated learning strategies. Faculty can model self-regulated learning and provide appropriate classroom tasks. (MSE)

Theories of motivation suggest three approaches to enhancing college student learning: (1) reshaping students' overall achievement orientation; (2) creating the expectation of success; and (3) increasing the value of academic outcomes by helping students develop personal goals and identify means of achieving them. (MSE)