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Articles 1 - 21 of 21
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Byu Students' Beliefs About Language Learning And Communicative Language Teaching Activities, Sarah C. Bakker
Byu Students' Beliefs About Language Learning And Communicative Language Teaching Activities, Sarah C. Bakker
Theses and Dissertations
Learner beliefs, which contribute to attitude and motivation, may affect language learning. It is therefore valuable to investigate the malleability of learner beliefs, and to determine whether potentially detrimental beliefs can be ameliorated. This study examines how instruction of the principles of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) affects students' beliefs about classroom activities and their beliefs about language learning in general. The 68 first-year German students at Brigham Young University who participated in this study were asked to rate the effectiveness of three activities typical of communicative language teaching: Dialogue activities, Peer Interview activities, and Information-gap activities. They were also asked …
Authentic Out-Of-Class Communication In Study Abroad Programs: Success Defined By Continued Motivation And Cultural Appreciation, Erin Fairlight Olsen
Authentic Out-Of-Class Communication In Study Abroad Programs: Success Defined By Continued Motivation And Cultural Appreciation, Erin Fairlight Olsen
Theses and Dissertations
The benefits of study abroad experience in second language acquisition have evolved from unchallenged assumption to the focus of rigorous study in the past several decades. The benefits of out-of-class contact with natives have likewise been questioned. Despite conflicting evidence of its benefit, students frequently cite out-of-class conversations with natives as among the most beneficial aspects of their language acquisition experience. Reviewing the extant literature, this study narrows in on authentic communication-that is, meaningful out-of-class contact with natives, in which students are able to genuinely express themselves and their personality-as a previously unanalyzed element of study abroad research. It is …
The Influence Of Performance Level And Setting On Collegiate Athletes' Motivational Profiles, Shareen Brooke Smith
The Influence Of Performance Level And Setting On Collegiate Athletes' Motivational Profiles, Shareen Brooke Smith
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine if motivational profiles of individual collegiate team sport athletes differ across ability levels (High, Middle, and Low) and settings (Team Practice, Competition, and Personal Practice). The athletes task and ego disposition, autonomy, and contextual motivation, were assessed using the Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ), Sport Climate Questionnaire (SCQ), and Sport Motivational Scale (SMS), pre and postseason. Their anxiety levels and situational motivation were measured using the Sport Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Situational Motivational Scale (SIMS) during the season. The General Causality Orientations Scale (GCOS) was used pre and postseason to assess …
Motivation And Performance In Computer Science: Test Of An Integrative Theory, Katherine A. Selgrade
Motivation And Performance In Computer Science: Test Of An Integrative Theory, Katherine A. Selgrade
Psychology Theses & Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to design and empirically test a parsimonious integrative motivation theory. The theory integrates aspects of expectancy theory, social cognitive theory, goal-setting theory, and commitment theory. The theory was tested with 170 undergraduate, students in an introductory computer science (CS) course.
The study tested relationships among the following variables: CS self-efficacy, mathematics ability, affective commitment to the CS class, goal orientation, effort, and performance. The study also tested the interactive effects of effort and ability on performance. Structural equation modeling was used to test the measurement model and a series of nested structural models. Findings …
Perceptions Of Group Exercise Participants Based On Body Type, Appearance And Attractiveness Of The Instructor, Jennifer Mears
Perceptions Of Group Exercise Participants Based On Body Type, Appearance And Attractiveness Of The Instructor, Jennifer Mears
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Physical activity reduces the risk for disease, improves overall health, and quality of life. Group exercise classes are large contributors for meeting physical activity recommendations. Improving long-term adherence to group exercise classes is essential in order to receive health and fitness benefits. Many contributing factors affect adherence rates including the role of the instructor. The instructor has great influence over the decision to return to a group exercise class. It is important to find out what qualities and characteristics are preferred among those who take classes to increase long-term adherence. Another important factor relating to adherence is body type, appearance …
The Impact Of Reward Power On Creativity: Does It Depend On The Nature Of The Reward?, Edward Rickamer Hoover
The Impact Of Reward Power On Creativity: Does It Depend On The Nature Of The Reward?, Edward Rickamer Hoover
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This experiment investigated the influence of reward property and reward power on creative performance. It was hypothesized that the magnitude of reward power would moderate the relationship between reward property and creativity. Fifty undergraduate students (45 females, 5 males, X age = 20.72 years, SD age = 4 years) participated. The experimental design was reward power ($0.00, $0.50, or $2.00 per trial) x reward property (informational vs. controlling undertones in the script) x trials (5). Results demonstrated a positive correlation between intrinsic motivation and creative performance (r = .411, p = .03, n = 50). Hypotheses concerning the moderating influence …
Factors Perceived To Contribute To Mathematics Avoidance Or Mathematics Confidence In Non-Traditional Age Women Attending A Community College, Jo Ann K Rawley
Factors Perceived To Contribute To Mathematics Avoidance Or Mathematics Confidence In Non-Traditional Age Women Attending A Community College, Jo Ann K Rawley
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Over the past decade, the number of students entering postsecondary institutions immediately after high school has been decreasing, while the number of non-traditional aged students, defined as adults over 25, has substantially increased, with women making up the majority of this adult student group. Mathematics education is an area where non-traditional age women tend to have difficulty. Fifteen individual interviews were conducted with non-traditional age women enrolled in a community college, 10 identifying mathematics as the subject they would least enjoy and 5 identifying mathematics as the subject they would most enjoy. Data were analyzed by comparing the women's stories …
The Effects Of Goal Message And Goal Orientation On Learning In A Web-Based Tutorial, John M. Bunch
The Effects Of Goal Message And Goal Orientation On Learning In A Web-Based Tutorial, John M. Bunch
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The current study investigates instructional design factors that can be manipulated to enhance learner motivation. A goal-based approach to enhancing motivation is discussed, along with current theory concerning the goal orientation an individual learner brings to an instructional situation. The efficacy of Prospect Theory as a cognitive mechanism underlying the valuation of effort toward a goal is discussed, and an experiment is presented in which goal messaging is manipulated based on the predictions of Prospect Theory as well as Goal Setting Theory. A Web-based tutorial consisting of ten sections of text, each with a recall test, was used. An ability …
A Cross-Cultural, Multilevel Study Of Inquiry-Based Instruction Effects On Conceptual Understanding And Motivation In Physics, Meiko Negishi
A Cross-Cultural, Multilevel Study Of Inquiry-Based Instruction Effects On Conceptual Understanding And Motivation In Physics, Meiko Negishi
Theses and Dissertations
Student achievement and motivation to learn physics is highly valued in many industrialized countries including the United States and Japan. Science education curricula in these countries emphasize the importance and encourage classroom teachers to use an inquiry approach. This dissertation investigated high school students? motivational orientations and their understanding of physics concepts in a context of inquiry-based instruction. The goals were to explore the patterns of instructional effects on motivation and learning in each country and to examine cultural differences and similarities. Participants consisted of 108 students (55 females, 53 males) and 9 physics teachers in the United States and …
Motivation And Attitude Of Preservice Elementary Teachers Toward Mathematics : Is Rural Revevant?, Christine Ankrom Perry
Motivation And Attitude Of Preservice Elementary Teachers Toward Mathematics : Is Rural Revevant?, Christine Ankrom Perry
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation was a quantitative study with a sample of preservice elementary teachers from four universities in Kentucky. The purpose of this study was to investigate preservice elementary teachers' achievement goal orientations for learning mathematics and the relationship of those goals and their attitudes toward mathematics. A second goal of this study was to explore differences in the types of achievement goals and attitudes between rural preservice elementary teachers and their nonrural counterparts. Self-report instruments were administered to assess the level of three achievement goals – mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoid, and three constructs of attitude – confidence in learning mathematics, …
Analysis Of Procrastination And Flow Experiences, Bryan Leighton Dawson
Analysis Of Procrastination And Flow Experiences, Bryan Leighton Dawson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Flow is a subjective state that occurs when an individual is completely engaged in a particular activity (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975). This state encompasses arousal and intense interest in a task. Procrastination is the tendency of the individual who is in control of some activity to postpone or avoid that activity. Some researchers have suggested that perhaps there is more than one kind of procrastinator (Chu & Choi, 2005). The current study explored the differences between procrastination types and how these types relate to flow experiences. Participants were 60 upper-level Psychology students, working on a class term paper who completed weekly diaries …
Factors That Motivate Or Discourage Movement Into School Leadership Positions And The Implications For Recruitment Policy And Practice, Ginger Lee Blackmon Edd
Factors That Motivate Or Discourage Movement Into School Leadership Positions And The Implications For Recruitment Policy And Practice, Ginger Lee Blackmon Edd
Dissertations
Public schools in the United States are facing one of the most extensive transformations in school leadership. Districts face the difficult challenge of recruiting and training school leaders who have the capacity to deal with the growing demands and responsibilities placed on school site administrators. Despite a surplus of people certified for administration, the changing demands of the principal's job precipitated by national reform efforts have left a shortage not only of qualified applicants, but also in the total number of applicants (qualified and unqualified) willing to carry the burden of the job. This study investigated the factors that influence …
The Potential Influence Of Motivation On The Decision To Stay Or Quit The Navy Delayed Entry Program: A Descriptive Analysis, Angela W. Cyrus
The Potential Influence Of Motivation On The Decision To Stay Or Quit The Navy Delayed Entry Program: A Descriptive Analysis, Angela W. Cyrus
School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations
This study explored the influence of public service motivation on recruits' decisions to complete the Navy Delayed Entry Program and proceed to basic training, or to quit the program, having changed their minds about joining the Navy. The study was motivated by a problematic attrition rate, up to 25% in some instances, from the Navy Delayed Entry Program. Given the increased domestic and international demands placed on the U.S. military amidst significant political debate about the deployment of forces, military recruiting faces tough challenges in meeting its authorized personnel requirements. This study examined the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and associated …
The Mediating Role Of Motivation And Job Satisfaction In Work Environment-Outcome Relationships, Melissa Guzman
The Mediating Role Of Motivation And Job Satisfaction In Work Environment-Outcome Relationships, Melissa Guzman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Research that links various aspects of the work environment to important work outcomes can be traced back almost seventy years. Despite the history and proliferation of these studies, firm conclusions have not been reached regarding the ways through which the work environment impacts these outcomes. For example, mediating variables such as motivation and job satisfaction have been proposed as affective and cognitive states that could impact the environment-outcome relationships but have received little attention. Additionally, organizational and contextual moderators such as group size and demographics that could impact the relationships have been called for but have yet to be studied. …
An Examination Of The Relationships Among Perceived Gender Discrimination, Work Motivation, And Performance, Jessica M. Cornejo
An Examination Of The Relationships Among Perceived Gender Discrimination, Work Motivation, And Performance, Jessica M. Cornejo
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Gender discrimination and work motivation are two important constructs for employers to consider. Changing workforce trends towards a more diverse workforce make understanding discrimination in the workplace more important than ever. And, established direct relationships between motivation and performance make understanding motivation key to organizational success. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived gender discrimination at work, work motivation, and performance. Although much theory and research exists regarding motivation and performance, this study uses a new measure of motivation based on the Pritchard and Ashwood (2007) theory of work motivation. It was hypothesized that perceived …
Exploring Content-Based Language Arts Instruction In The Esol Classroom Through A Holistic Approach, María Angeles Cicatello
Exploring Content-Based Language Arts Instruction In The Esol Classroom Through A Holistic Approach, María Angeles Cicatello
MA TESOL Collection
The activities contained in this project derive from personal efforts to implement content-based instruction with a language arts thematic unit in the ESOL classroom through a holistic approach.
Public school ESOL students and teachers alike are more than ever experiencing a tremendous pressure to accelerate English language instruction and learning in order to satisfy local/state curriculum tests, and national standards. This materials-development project correlates with the local Board of Education’s Academic Knowledge and Skills Curriculum guidelines without restricting the teacher’s freedom to prioritize what is most important and relevant to students’ lives, respecting their self as learners, and demonstrating their …
A Relationship Between Career Decision And Motivation To Persist, Patricia Ann Ferguson
A Relationship Between Career Decision And Motivation To Persist, Patricia Ann Ferguson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
During the past few decades, research on student retention has been primarily focused on the constructs of social integration, lack of financial support and academic under-preparedness (Astin, 1975; Bean & Metzner, 1985; Cabrera, 1993; Pascarella,1982; Tinto, 1975). This study examined the phenomenal occurrence of low retention due to "lack of major and career direction." The Career Decision Scale and the Achievement Motivation Profile assessments were administered to 105 students at a comprehensive community college. Six linear regressions were conducted to determine if there were statistical relationships between:(a) career decision and the motivation to persist and; (b) career indecision and the …
Psychological Correlates Of Exercise Behavior Among Adolescents, Kevin C. Paul
Psychological Correlates Of Exercise Behavior Among Adolescents, Kevin C. Paul
LSU Master's Theses
According to the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, 33% of youth in grades 9-12 participated in an insufficient amount of vigorous and moderate physical activity (PA), and 11% reported no vigorous and moderate PA. Although researchers have examined the psychological correlates of exercise behavior among youth, limited research investigating moderators of the theories of reasoned action (TRA; Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) and planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1985) in this population exists. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to examine socioeconomic status (SES) as a moderator of the psychological correlates of exercise intention and behavior using the TRA/TPB …
Low African-American Student Enrollment In The Post Secondary Vocational Education Step Ii Program: A Study Of Motivational Factors, Victor Goldstein
Low African-American Student Enrollment In The Post Secondary Vocational Education Step Ii Program: A Study Of Motivational Factors, Victor Goldstein
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
A purposive literature review was used in this study to develop a knowledge base on motivational factors impacting enrollment of African-American students in postsecondary vocational education program specifically in the STEP II program. This study examined books, articles, reports, and data from student interviews to understand what motivational factors influence decisions. It was found that low enrollment of African- American students in post-secondary vocational education is not only dependent on motivational factors emanating from the students themselves, but also stem from the institutions that offer training programs.
The Impact Of Peer Discussion Groups On The Recreational Reading Of Seventh Grade Students, Dana Haring
The Impact Of Peer Discussion Groups On The Recreational Reading Of Seventh Grade Students, Dana Haring
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Recreational reading is declining. The decline starts early in elementary school and rapidly accelerates during adolescence. Adolescent literacy is impacted on many fronts, including various factors in psychological, emotional, intellectual, academic, and social development. Because social factors and emotional factors are especially relevant in the study of adolescents and their recreational reading, these elements were integrated in this quasi-experimental research.
This study was designed to answer the following research question: if given the choice of what to read and time with peers to discuss their reading, will seventh grade students spend more time reading? The sample of 117 seventh grade …
Self-Concept And Attraction To Physical Activity: The Effectiveness Of An Intervention Programme To Enhance Children's Level Of Physical Activity, Barbara M. Howard
Self-Concept And Attraction To Physical Activity: The Effectiveness Of An Intervention Programme To Enhance Children's Level Of Physical Activity, Barbara M. Howard
Theses: Doctorates and Masters
According to motivational theory physical self-perceptions are crucial to the intrinsic desire to engage in physical activity through play, games, and sport. While there has been prolific research with middle primary and older children little is known of the importance of young children's physical self-concept and their motivation to engage in physical activity. This study had three major purposes. Firstly it aimed to examine the relationship between children's self-concept, their attraction to physical activity, and level of physical activity. The second purpose of the study was to examine differences between boys' and girls' self-concept, attraction to physical activity and level …