Sieben Arten der Lernmotivation

Theories of Motivation in Education: an Integrative Framework

Several major theories have been established in research on motivation in education to describe, explain, and predict the direction, initiation, intensity, and persistence of learning behaviors. The most commonly cited theories of academic motivation include expectancy-value theory, social cognitive theory, self-determination theory, interest theory, achievement goal theory, and attribution theory. To gain a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences among these prominent theories, we present an integrative framework based on an action model (Heckhausen & Heckhausen, 2018). The basic model is deliberately parsimonious, consisting of six stages of action: the situation, the self, the goal, the action, the outcome, and the consequences. Motivational constructs from each major theory are related to these determinants in the course of action, mainly revealing differences and to a lesser extent commonalities. In the integrative model, learning outcomes represent a typical indicator of goal-directed behavior. Associated recent meta-analyses demonstrate the empirical relationship between the motivational constructs of the six central theories and academic achievement. They provide evidence for the explanatory value of each theory for students’ learning.

Measuring dual career motivation among German student-athletes using the Student Athletes’ Motivation Toward Sports and Academics Questionnaire

With the 2012 EU guidelines on dual careers (DC), DC research gained increasing awareness in Europe focussing particularly on student-athletes’ motivation. The Student Athletes’ Motivation toward Sports and Academics Questionnaire (SAMSAQ), arguably the most prominent instrument in this research area, has been used in various cross-cultural studies assessing DC motivation. The present investigation contributes to the cross-cultural discourse aiming to (1) adapt the SAMSAQ for the German context and adolescent secondary school student-athletes, and (2) evaluate the German pre-version. A sample of 208 student-athletes (52.4% females, mean age = 17.4 years, 49.5% at squad level) at three German Elite Sport Schools participated in the study. The investigation was split into two parts. First, the SAMSAQ was adapted to the German context and tested. In the second part, the first pre-version was revised. A series of exploratory factor analyses were applied to verify the factor structure of both German SAMSAQ pre-versions. Eight different factor models based on item removal were compared. Neither model demonstrated good results for the replication of previous findings or a meaningful solution in terms of content. Reasons for the deviations between the original and target SAMSAQ factor structures can be found in the different target groups and the culturally different approaches to career assistant programmes as well as in the theoretical background of the instrument. Since neither model was identified as acceptable, the findings indicate that a new instrument needs to be developed for assessing student-athletes’ DC motivation along their pathways in different cross-cultural contexts.

How classmates' stress affects student's quality of motivation

Over the last decades, more and more adolescents and children feel chronically stressed, which negatively affects their school performance. However, less is known whether classmates' general stress affects an individual student's quality of motivation. Therefore, based on conservation of resources theory, this study examined the precise interplay between general stress and the quality of motivation for students in high- and low-tracking schools considering potential context effects. Results of multilevel multigroup structural equation models with questionnaire data from 1,088 German students identified differences in the relation between general stress and quality of motivation for students from different school forms on both the within and between level.

Facilitating Lifelong Learning in School-Age Learners

Lifelong Learning (LLL) has been proclaimed a Europe-wide strategy as societies are faced with numerous changes making continuous development indispensable. Currently, LLL is often seen primarily as a topic for continuing education. However, schools play an essential role in laying the cornerstone for successful LLL: There is robust knowledge that persistent motivation to learn as well as corresponding learning skills are essential for LLL and that both could be influenced best during childhood and adolescence. Therefore, facilitating LLL is an important aspect of schools’ success. However, results from international studies show deficits for many students in LLL competencies. Consequently, a need for more systematic promotion of LLL in schools was identified. Based on this, the aim of this paper is to give an overview on the theoretical basis for promoting LLL in schools from the perspective of educational psychology. Derived from this, the necessity of enhancing LLL competencies in school is made obvious and present promotion programs are described. As an example, goals, structure, and evaluation results of the TALK training program, which aims to provide teachers with the competencies to systematically implement the enhancement of LLL into their regular educational responsibilities, are reported. Finally, general recommendations for realizing a systematic facilitation of LLL in school are illustrated.

Motivationale und affektive Merkmale unterschätzter Schüler

In diesem Beitrag werden zwei Untersuchungen zur diagnostischen Kompetenz von Lehrkräften und den motivational-affektiven Merkmalen unterschätzter und überschätzter Schüler präsentiert. An den Untersuchungen in Deutschland und China nahmen jeweils acht Grundschulklassen sowie deren Mathematiklehrer teil. Die Viertklässler bearbeiteten einen Mathematikleistungstest und einen Selbstbeschreibungsfragebogen. Die Lehrkräfte schätzten die Schüler in Bezug auf die Testleistung und motivational-affektive Merkmale ein. Auf Grundlage der geschätzten und der tatsächlichen Testleistung erfolgte eine Einteilung in unterschätzte und überschätzte Schüler. Beide Untersuchungen kommen zu übereinstimmenden Ergebnissen. Die Lehrkräfte konnten Testleistungen mit guter Genauigkeit prognostizieren, aber hatten Schwierigkeiten damit motivational-affektive Schülermerkmale richtig einzuschätzen. Unterschätzte Schüler zeigten die gleiche Testleistung und Lernmotivation wie überschätzte Schüler, aber hatten eine niedrigere Erfolgserwartung, ein niedrigeres Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und eine höhere Leistungsangst. Die Lehrer erwarteten, dass unterschätzte Schüler in der nächsten Mathematikarbeit schlechter abschneiden werden und mit schlechteren Noten zufrieden sind als überschätzte Schüler. Der Beurteilungsfehler der Lehrer beschränkte sich nicht allein auf die Testleistung, sondern generalisierte auf motivational-affektive Schülermerkmale.