The aim of this study was to consider a question of creativity in all its aspects and to explore peculiarities of creative thinking according to gender, classes, learning profiles of senior pupils and find out links between creative thinking and general learning motivation, creative thinking and motivation of achievements, creative thinking and learning success (academic results). So for this purpose there was chosen Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (1974), in case to explore their peculiarities of creative thinking. It was used figural A form (all three activities). Torrance test of creative thinking identified four components of divergent thinking: fluency (the ability to quickly find multiple solutions to a problem); flexibility (being able to simultaneously consider a variety of alternatives); and originality (referring to ideas that differ from those of other people) and elaboration (optional; the ability to elaborate ideas and solutions). We also used “Approach to Study Inventory” (test of general learning motivation; Entwistle N.J., Hanley M., Rounsell D., 1979; Entwistle N.J., Ramsden P., 1981) and Mechrabian Test-Questionnaire for motivation of achievements (modified by M.Š.-Magomed-Eminov, 1987). 198 senior pupils were investigated during this research. There were 102 girls and 96 boys of them. They were divided according to their learning profile into the two groups: humanitarian and real profiles. Trying to find out differences between gender, classes and... [to full text]

The subject of this MA thesis is “The Relation between Learning Ability and Learning Motivation in 4th – Graders”. The thesis analyses an urgent educational issue of developing learning competence in primary school, in particular learning ability and learning motivation. Learning motivation is perceived here as a set of inner (knowledge prestige, communication, self – expression, future) and outer (learning for personal benefits, out of compulsion or fear) stimuli. The thesis discusses the structure of the ability to learn as that to raise learning objectives, to plan the learning process and to act purposefully in order to achieve the learning objectives (the ability to relate the new learning material or experience to what is know; the ability to clarify misconceptions and correct them accordingly; the ability to select and apply appropriate strategies; the ability to use sources of information; the ability to cope with learning difficulties; the ability to cooperate). With a view to measuring the 4th – graders‘ level of learning ability and expression of learning motivation, a questionnaire and a situational method were constructed. The reliability of the answers was tested at interviews and with the help of a questionnaire in which some teachers evaluated their pupils’ ability to learn. The computer programmes Excel and SPSS were used to process and correlate the data about the pupils’ learning ability and learning motivation. 305 4th – graders from Vilnius schools... [to full text]

Kūno kultūros pamokos metu ugdoma mokinių fizinės ypatybės ir gebėjimai, mokoma sporto technikos veiksmų, mokoma gražiai bendrauti bei bendradarbiauti. Kūno kultūros specialistas, suteikia motyvacijos mokinių asmenybės savybėms bei galioms tobulėti. Pedagogo tinkamas motyvavimas mokinius, gali pamoką padaryti malonesnę. Tyrimo objektas – mokytojų motyvavimas ir mokinių motyvacija kūno kultūros pamokose. Darbe buvo siekiama tikslo išanalizuoti mokytojų ir mokinių motyvacijas kūno kultūros pamokose, parašyti panašumus ir skirtumus. Siekiant atsakyti į tyrimo tikslą, buvo keliami šie uždaviniai: išanalizuoti kūno kultūros mokytojų motyvaciją mokyti, nustatyti veiksnius įtakojančius mokinių motyvaciją kūno kultūros pamokose ir palyginti mokytojų ir mokinių motyvacijos veiksnių skirtumus kūno kultūros pamokose. Darbo pagrindą sudarė kūno kultūros mokytojams skirta anketa ir 9 - 12 klasių mokinių anketa. Šios abi anketos buvo naudojamos, siekiant nustatyti 9 – 12 klasių moksleivių veiksnius, motyvuojančius dalyvauti kūno kultūros pamokose. Tyrimas buvo atliekamas taikant apklausos metodą, apklausiant 223 respondentus. 41 kūno kultūros mokytoją ir 182 mokinius. Anketa buvo parengta pagal A. C. Garn, D. J. Cothran, 2006 klausimyną. Tyrime dalyvavusių mokytojų ir 9 – 12 klasių mokinių apklausa atskleidė, kad motyvacija kūno kultūrai turi įtakos visapusiškam asmenybės ugdymui. Išaiškėjo, jog veiksmingiausia yra vidinė motyvacija, kuri susijusi su mokinio užtikrintumu, gebėjimu padaryti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / During physical education lessons pupils develop their physical qualities and abilities. They are taught actions of sport technique as well as considerate communication and cooperation. The specialist of physical education motivates and helps improve pupils‘ personal features and potency. An appropriate motivation of an educator makes the lesson much more enjoyable. The object of the study – teachers‘ and pupils‘ motivation during the lesson of physical education. The aim of the work was to analyse teachers‘ and pupils‘ motivations during the lessons of physical education and present similarities and differences between the both. The following tasks were raised to respond to the purpose of the study: to analyse the teachers‘ of physical education motivation to teach, determine factors that influence pupils‘ motivation during the lessons of physical education and compare the differences of teachers‘ and pupils‘ motivational factors during the lessons. The foundation of the work constituted of the questionnaire for the teachers and a questionnaire for the pupils of 9 – 12 forms. The both questionnaires were used to determine the factors motivating the pupils of 9 – 12 forms to participate in physical education lessons. The study was carried out by applying the survey method and interviewing 223 respondents – 41 teachers of physical education and 182 pupils. The questions were prepared according to the questionnaire formed by A. C. Garn, D. J. Cothran, 2006. The survey of... [to full text]

動機雖被認定為影響第二語言及外語學習的因素之一，然而如何在考試導向的學習環境下提升學生內在或自主性英語學習動機的相關研究並不多。本研究依據自我決定理論(the self-determination theory)來設計學習單，用以輔助學生學習學校的一般英語課程，來探討自我決定理論在現行教育環境下使用的效益。此外，學習單的使用是否能幫助學生的成就表現優於其他學生也一併研究。 參與本研究的對象為台灣北部一所公立國中八年級兩個班的六十位學生。這兩個班級有相似的社會背景及英語成就表現，並隨機被指定為實驗組與控制組。實驗組可在考試前預覽印在學習單上的試題，而控制組則直接參與考試。本實驗歷時七週，蒐集資料的工具包含問卷、學習單和該學校所舉辦的英語成就測驗(英語段考)。研究方法含量化及質性分析，主要探討學習單對學生的三個英語學 習動機元素(autonomy, competence and relatedness)及英語成就表現的影響。 研究結果顯示高成就學生的主動性(autonomy)及中等成就學生的主動性(autonomy)、自我感知的英語能力(perceived competence)以及與同儕、老師間的相關性(relatedness)有提升。然而，低成就學生的三個英語學習動機元素則下降。另外，實驗組在該學校所舉辦的英語成就測驗的表現和對照組相比並無明顯差異。本研究最後對使用學習單提升學生內在或自主性學習動機在實際教學上的應用提供建議，以作為參考。 / Although motivation has been viewed as an important factor that affects second and foreign language acquisition, there isn’t much research investigating how to promote students’ intrinsic or more self-regulated motivation to learn English in test-oriented classroom settings. This study explores this area by complementing students’ regular English classes at school with the worksheets designed based on the self-determination theory. Furthermore, it also investigates whether students with the aid of the worksheets would outperform those not using the worksheets academically. For this research purpose, two classes of 60 eighth-graders in a public junior high school in northern Taiwan took part in this study. The two classes with similar social background and English academic performances were randomly classified into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was given a chance to preview the test questions which were printed on the worksheets distributed to them as the complementary material before the tests. The control group, on the other hand, was given the tests directly without the chance to preview the test questions. The experiment lasted for seven weeks, and the data were collected through three instruments, a questionnaire, the worksheets, and a school administered-achievement test. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were adopted to probe into the influence of the worksheets upon the participants’ three motivational components, namely autonomy, competence, and relatedness as well as their academic performance on the achievement test. The study results indicate that the worksheets could help promote the high achievers’ autonomy and the middle achievers’ autonomy, competence perception and relatedness, but they did not exert positive effects on the low achievers. Furthermore, the experimental group didn’t outperform the control group on the school-administered achievement test. Some pedagogical implications were presented at the end of the thesis.

This thesis adapts cooperative learning methods for the College English teaching context in China. Its focus is on investigating the effects of cooperative learning on students' English language proficiency, learning motivation and social skills, in comparison with traditional whole-class instruction, by employing a pre-test-post-test control group quasi-experimental design. The first chapter clarifies the context for the research, which includes an introduction about the importance of English language teaching in China, a description of the widely used traditional approach, as well as its negative consequences. Observations are made regarding the characteristics of College English teaching and recent nationwide College English reform, which have spurred a transformation of the traditional approach at the tertiary level, with a focus on enhancing students' listening and speaking abilities in English. This is followed by a brief overview of cooperative learning, as well as its potential to contribute to College English teaching. The overall aim of the research and the specific research questions addressed are presented at the end of this chapter. The second chapter consists of a review of the literature regarding the history of cooperative learning, the fundamental theoretical underpinnings of cooperative learning, major cooperative learning methods, basic elements of cooperative learning, and its positive outcomes. This chapter also elaborates on key issues in implementing cooperative learning in the classroom and the cultural appropriateness of cooperative learning in China. In accordance with the specific context for this research, this chapter addresses the relevant connections of cooperative learning to second and foreign language teaching, tertiary education, and large-class instruction. An extensive review is also included regarding recent studies on using cooperative learning in second and foreign language teaching around the world as well as in China. The review locates a gap in the existing studies; the effectiveness of cooperative learning in teaching English as a foreign language to tertiary learners in China, which constitutes the focus of this thesis. The third chapter starts with some key concepts essential for quantitative methodology used in this research. It is followed by an introduction of participants and the general research procedure, which includes a pilot study and a main study employing a pre-test-post-test control group quasi-experimental design. Details of the intervention procedure are provided, focusing on different teaching methods used in the cooperative learning classroom and the traditional classroom. This chapter also provides details of the three measures used in this research: the College English Test, the Language Learning Orientations Scale, and the Social Skills Scale for Chinese College English Learners. At the end of the chapter there is an explanation of specific techniques and principles for data analysis. In chapter four, results are presented based on analysis of the data from the three measures. In general, the results focus on seven aspects: mean scores, standard deviations of pre- and post-test scores for each group, effect sizes of Cohen's d from pre- to post-test for each group, alpha values of paired-samples t-tests for each group, alpha values of interaction effect between group and time from ANOVAs, alpha values of post-test difference between groups from one way ANCOVAs, and means plots for each of testing areas. The findings provide evidence in favour of cooperative learning in some areas, for instance, in teaching speaking, listening and reading, in generating intrinsic motivation, and in incorporating students' equal participation and individual accountability into learning. The final chapter includes a discussion of the findings on the three measures in relation to the findings of previous research. It goes on to discuss implications for the practice of English language teaching, with a focus on the challenges of using cooperative learning in Chinese tertiary institutions. These challenges mainly include designing appropriate cooperative learning tasks, extra workload involved in preparing and implementing cooperative learning lessons, limited teaching hours and a large curriculum to cover, as well as students' use of the first language in teamwork. The chapter ends with a discussion about the major contributions and limitations of the current study, as well as recommendations for future research.

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the role that textbooks have within the subject of English in Swedish secondary school, years 7-9, and the psychological impact textbooks may or may not have on pupil language learning. Theories used in this study support the fact that pupils who are able to independently develop their language skills are more successful language learners, including the self-efficacy theory, theories about motivation, i.e. the Self-Determination Theory and the L2 Motivational Self System, and learning independence. Mixed methodology was applied to extract both quantitative and qualitative data. In this study, three Swedish EFL teachers from years 7-9 were interviewed to determine their attitudes towards textbook use during their everyday teaching and their views on how textbooks impact their pupils’ achievements of self-efficacy and independence. Additionally, 212 Swedish pupils in years 7-9 answered questions on their perception of their textbooks through a digital questionnaire. The interviewed teachers, as well as the pupils’ responses, showed reservations regarding textbook usage, especially regarding the ability for pupils to relate to textbook content, and the lack of support for pupils with learning disabilities (e.g.,dyslexia). Pupils also responded that they were not using their respective textbooks independently. Analysis of the results shows that textbooks, whether digital or printed, are not useful EFL learning tools on their own, as they do not fully support pupil self-learning. Most notably, the interviewed teachers and the pupils’ responses both signal a lack of relatedness in the contents of their textbooks. Future studies should focus on intrinsic motivation through pupil perceptions of relatedness in textbooks

This study explores the influence of collaborative learning on motivation and speaking anxiety in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom for young learners. The study highlights a crucial research aspect by examining the role of collaborative learning in addressing speaking anxiety. The research question is explored by multiple investigators, and Lundahl's (2022) groundbreaking work particularly stands out, emphasising the vital role of collaborative learning in education. Building on this foundation, Fenyvesi's (2020) study on Danish learners aligns with these collaborative learning findings, emphasising the importance of fostering positive attitudes from the early stages of language acquisition. Kopinska and Azakari's (2020) study of collaborative reconstruction tasks provides a task-based perspective, illustrating the positive impact on motivation and a preference for collaboration. Nilsson's (2019) research reveals several triggers of speaking anxiety amongst Swedish learners, emphasising the role of classroom situations. Collaborative learning relieves speaking anxiety, as highlighted by Nilsson (2019) and supported by Bozkurt and Aydin's (2023) study involving 34 EFL students. Pladevall-Balusters (2019) study in Catalonia, Spain, compares motivation levels in traditional and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) settings, acknowledging the potential and challenges of CLIL. The result of this study shows that collaborative learning has a positive impact on young EFL learners' motivation and speaking anxiety in English classes. It reduces anxiety, increases confidence, and fosters a supportive classroom atmosphere, ultimately contributing to improved motivation and vocabulary acquisition.

本研究旨在探討我國高職進修學校學生學習動機及學習滿意度的相關影響因素，並以研究結果提供作為高職進修學校與各教育主管機關提升教育品質之參考。 本研究以臺北縣高職進修學校學生為研究對象，並以「高職進修學校學習情況調查問卷」為施測工具進行問卷調查。有效樣本984 人。所得資料以平均數、標準差、t 考驗、單因子變異數分析、皮爾遜積差相關等統計方法加以處理及分析。綜合本研究之結果如下： 壹、台北縣私立高職進修學校學生，就讀台北縣九大行政區中所設立之私立高職進修學校學生，以女性學生佔多數(佔58.9%)，男性學生較少(佔41.1%)。 貳、私立高職進修學校學生之學習動機層面中，較佳為「自我學習信念」、「自我認同」及「自我要求」等因素，但仍應加強自我專業與技能實踐能力。 參、私立高職進修學校學生之學習滿意度層面中，較佳為「課程教材」、「學習教材」、「人際互動」、「生涯規劃」等因素，但仍應加強學習環境之改善。 肆、不同背景變項學生學習動機上有所不同。 伍、私立高職進修學校學生在學習動機與學習滿意度呈現正相關。 陸、私立高職進修學校學生在學生學習動機各因素與學習滿意度各層面之相關呈現正相關。 最後，研究者依據研究所得結果提出幾點建議，作為學校教育、 家長及未來研究之參考。 關鍵字：高職進修學校、學習動機、學習滿意度 / The research aims to explore the relationship and relevant factors between learning motivation and satisfaction of continuation vocational high school students. It would provide references for the authority of educational units and administration of continuation vocation high school to enhance teaching and learning quality. The research takes continuation vocational high school students in Taipei County for studying objects. The questionnaire “Continuation vocational high school student learning situation” was used as a tool and the valid data was collected from 984 students. The data was analyzed and processed through statistical methods such as Average, Standard Deviation, T tests, Single factor variance analysis, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation analysis. Finally, according to the results and investigations, findings and conclusions were come up along with recommendations as follows: 1. The female students who study in private continuation vocational high school in nine main districts of Taipei County is more (58.9%) than that of male ones (41.1%). 2. In the coverage of learning motivation, the continuation vocational high school students pay more concern on the factors such as “Self- monitoring learning belief”, “Self- Identity”, and “Self- development”. However, the schools should teach students how to enhance their professional and practical skills. 3. In the coverage of learning satisfaction, the continuation vocational high school students are pleased with the factors such as “Curriculum materials”, “Learning materials”, “Relationship”, and “Career Planning”. However, the school should improve the quality of learning environment. 4. The students from different backgrounds and family conditions have different learning motivation. 5. There is positive correlation between learning motivation and learning satisfaction of private continuation vocational high school students. 6. There is positive correlation between different factors of learning motivation and learning satisfaction of private continuation vocational high school students. In sum, based on the conclusion of the study, the author suggests some recommendations for school education, parents, and future researchers. Key word: continuation vocational high school, learning motivation, learning satisfaction

本研究主要目的在探討都市原住民族學生在父母教育期望、學生學習動機及學生學業成就的現況，並探討不同背景變項間的差異情形，分析都市原住民族學生在父母教育期望、學生學習動機及學業成就的相關情形，最後並探究父母教育期望及學生學習動機對學生學業成就之回歸預測分析。 本研究採問卷調查法，以臺北縣六所國民中學原住民族重點學校的學生為研究對象，共計595人，以描述性統計、t考驗、單因子變異數分析、Scheffé事後比較、皮爾森積差相關及多元迴歸分析等方法進行統計分析。 本研究得到以下的主要發現： 一、 都市國中原住民族學生在父母教育期望、學生學習動機及學生學業成就均為中上程度。 二、 都市國中原住民族學生在父母教育期望、學生學習動機及學生學業成就，因背景變項不同而有顯著差異。 三、 都市國中原住民族學生在父母教育期望、學生學習動機與學生學業成就有顯著的低度正相關。 四、 都市國中原住民族學生在父母教育期望和學生學習動機有顯著的中度正相關。 五、 都市國中原住民族學生在父母教育期望、學生學習動機對學生學業成就具有顯著的預測力。 / The main purpose of this study was to understand the relationships among parent education expectation, learning motivation, and academic achievement of urban aboriginal junior high school students. Survey method is used in this research. By purposeful sampling, 595 valid samples were acquired. The instruments used in the research are included Parent Education Expectation Scale and Learning Motivation Scale. The statistical methods used to analyze the data were descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way anova, Scheffé method, pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis . The conclusions of major were as follows: 1. Parent education expectation, learning motivation, and academic achievement of urban aboriginal Junior high school students were in medium-high range. 2. There were significant differences of parent education expectation, learning motivation, and academic achievement of urabn aboriginal Junior high school students. 3. The correlations among parent education expectation, learning motivation, and academic performance were positively significant. 4. The correlations between parent education expectation and learning motivation were positively significant. 5. Urban aboriginal junior high school students’ parent education expectation and learning motivation, could significantly predict their academic performance.

Visual arts-based tasks have been used and continue to be used by educators to help support the learning needs of many students. Research findings pertaining to visual arts-based education have concluded that visual arts-based tasks can help to improve students’ social communication skills, support their learning in academic subject areas, and increase their learning engagement. In recognition of the potential benefits of integrating the arts into the curriculum, the Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) program provides students with opportunities to engage in arts-based activities. In 2003, the results of a national longitudinal study on the LTTA program revealed a strong relationship between students’ involvement in the arts and their learning and engagement. The investigators recommended that further research in this area was required; through my research, I sought to contribute to this area of study. It is within the setting of a visual arts-based LTTA program that this study was conducted. Data were collected to construct two multiple-perspective case studies—each involving a Grade 7 student with learning disabilities. Each multiple-perspective case study involved the student’s mother, classroom teacher, and LTTA artist-educator in order to explore the following research question: In what way did visual arts-based tasks incite the student’s learning attitude, engagement level, and feelings of academic self-efficacy within the subject area(s) being explored? Overall, the findings suggested that visual arts-based tasks incited positively each student’s learning attitude, engagement level, and feelings of academic self-efficacy within the respective subject area that the students identified as being one of their least favourite. Most notably, their engagement in the visual arts-based tasks activated each student’s meaningful processing skills and fostered their emotional engagement in the task and their learning. Limitations of this study and future research directions were considered. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-10-22 18:15:56.859