Interviews were conducted with 29 part-time taught postgraduate (TPg) students to determine forms of teaching and curriculum which motivated their learning. The study was conducted in an open exploratory manner to investigate the aspects of pedagogy or curriculum design which particularly motivated the TPg students which were in any way distinct…

During the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Conference 2014, a workshop was held three consecutive times as part of the Pedagogical Speed Dating sessions to introduce experienced college/university faculty and instructional designers to an approach to instructional design that is based on increasing motivation. The purpose of…

Background: It has been claimed that thematic or integrated approaches to curriculum delivery offer a range of advantages over subject-based modes of delivery including improved pupil motivation. Purpose: This study put claims regarding pupil motivation to the test, using the achievement goals framework. This contemporary approach to understanding…

This study aimed at exploring motivational factors among American college and university students studying Japanese (as a second/foreign) language by examining their Peak Learning Experiences (Anderson et al., 2001; Bloom, 1982). In all, 128 students studying intermediate Japanese at five different schools returned their answers to this study's…

Motivation that arises from a genine interest in the field of study being undertaken is examined. This Australian university professor suggests that most students do not have a real zeal for academic study and offers ideas for improving that motivation in science students. (LBH)

Review of experimental evidence concerning the effectiveness of problem-based learning suggests that the approach may not improve content-free problem solving; may initially reduce learning levels but fosters long-term retention; may enhance transfer of concepts and integration of concepts into clinical problems; enhances intrinsic interest of…

Discusses the impact of planning on classroom environment, students, motivation, and learning by studying existing research as well as personal experiences and observations. Concludes that effective motivation efforts result in learners spending more time "on task," which should lead to higher levels of achievement. (MM)

Argues that college students are generally less dependent and more motivated to learn than is generally assumed, based on a survey of 252 third-year University of South Africa students. Recommends that academic departments find new ways of accommodating learner self-direction, re-examine traditional teaching paradigms, and continuously evaluate…

Review of recent literature on learning-to-learn focuses on how to improve learning activities. Highlights include criterion variables that influence learning activities; prerequisites of learning, including prior knowledge, intellectual capability, environmental factors, and motivation; learning strategies; how to teach learning strategies; and…

The paper pointed out the need for an understanding of what motivates the young American Indian student to attend school and to want to achieve in a school setting. The Slosson Intelligence Test and the Wide Range Achievement Test were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Engelmann-Becker Follow Through Program in motivating students. At the…

A longitudinal study of 99 students attending 1 rural and 1 urban elementary school in Yugoslavia evaluated the effects of an interdisciplinary play-oriented program based on drama, story making, art-constructive activities, group research, and various games. Results showed an improvement in creativity, motivation to learn, and expressive…

This paper reports the results of 3 years of Chinese language instruction experience at the Rochester Chinese Institute. The author designed, implemented, and evaluated a comprehensive instructional curriculum in Chinese language for students aged 11-17 years. Students were first generation American Chinese children of Chinese interracial…

A balanced triad among students, teachers, and curriculum, with each consisting of three equally supportive components, is shown to be the most important foundation for learning. Teacher components are self-esteem, superiors, autonomy; student components are peers, parents, motivation; curriculum components are design, materials, pedagogy. (MH)

Reports on a study of instructional strategies and beliefs among 18 middle-school U.S. history teachers and 60 middle-school students. Finds the most widely used strategies involve active learning, group projects, and student participation. Includes a table of the 10 most used strategies and 4 recommendations for instructional design. (CFR)

Recent educational approaches that have career and technical education (CTE) components have integrated work-based learning (WBL) with traditional academics. Among positive effects of the association between WBL and secondary students' educational outcomes are: (1) increased attendance, (2) decreased dropout rates, (3) increased number of academic…