Motivating Students in Distance Education Association for Educational Communication & Technology National Convention November 14, 2002

Distance Education

Dropouts Finance Finance Lack of time Lack of time Isolation Isolation Self discipline Self discipline Lack of motivation Lack of motivation

Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivation A R C S

A ttention A ttention R C S

Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivation A ttention A ttention R elevance R elevance C S

Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivation A ttention A ttention R elevance R elevance C onfidence C onfidence S

Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivation A ttention A ttention R elevance R elevance C onfidence C onfidence S atisfaction S atisfaction

Attention

Attention Perceptual Arousal Perceptual Arousal

Attention

Attention Inquiry Arousal Inquiry Arousal

Attention Perceptual Arousal Perceptual Arousal Inquiry Arousal Inquiry Arousal Variability Variability

Attention Perceptual Arousal Perceptual Arousal –Put something in upside down to get attention.

Attention Perceptual Arousal Perceptual Arousal –Put something in upside down to get attention.

Attention Perceptual Arousal Perceptual Arousal –Animation, videos

Attention Inquiry Arousal Inquiry Arousal –Discussion questions

Attention Variability Variability –Use a variety of instructional strategies –Vary the assignments: essay, discussion, chat…

Attention Your Ideas Your Ideas

Relevance Goal Orientation Goal Orientation Motive Matching Motive Matching Familiarity Familiarity

Relevance Goal Orientation Goal Orientation –Include a course map –Review course map periodically

Relevance Motive Matching Motive Matching –Make sure visuals are relevant to student and topic.

Relevance Motive Matching Motive Matching –Get to know your students quickly & use their names frequently.

Relevance Motive Matching Motive Matching –Respond to discussion messages quickly –In large chats, have students “raise hands”

Relevance Familiarity Familiarity –Use familiar terms for course components and assignments »Class sessions »Homework »Bulletin Board »Lecturette

Relevance Familiarity Familiarity –Invite a well-known “speaker”

Relevance Your Ideas Your Ideas

Confidence Learning Requirements Learning Requirements Success Opportunities Success Opportunities Personal Control Personal Control

Confidence Learning Requirements Learning Requirements –Orientation to class and to technology

Confidence Learning Requirements Learning Requirements –Detailed objectives & grading criteria grading criteriagrading criteria

Confidence Learning Requirements Learning Requirements –Examples of assignments »Good examples »Poor examples with correctional feedback

Confidence Success Opportunities Success Opportunities –Early access to material. –Early use of tools. –Establish learning communities.

Confidence Personal Control Personal Control –Personal/Professional profile

Confidence Personal Control Personal Control –Allow chat time for off-topic & social interaction. –Disappearing group member: file a “Missing Person Report”

Confidence Your Ideas Your Ideas

Satisfaction Natural Consequences Natural Consequences Extrinsic Rewards Extrinsic Rewards Equity Equity

Satisfaction Natural Consequences Natural Consequences –Authentic assignments that can be used in the learners’ contexts. –Conferencing with experts in the field

Satisfaction Extrinsic Rewards Extrinsic Rewards –Use first names or nicknames –Use reinforcing phrases –Learning communities

Satisfaction Extrinsic Rewards Extrinsic Rewards –Personal , motivational messages

Satisfaction Equity Equity –Work for course is attainable »Review the requirements –Course completion by distance is of equal value to completion F2F

Satisfaction Your Ideas Your Ideas

Dropout Prevention A ttention A ttention R elevance R elevance C onfidence C onfidence S atisfaction S atisfaction