1. Motivation Theory and Its Relationship to Adult Learning
EDUC
LaCarla Holmes
October 3, 2010

2. What motivates students to achieve success?

3. Motivation is a powerful force which enables an individual to pursue a wanted goal. This presentation will focus on the tools in which individuals use to attain this goal.

4. Before participating in this exercise the participant will: Verbalize characteristics of adult learners Discuss two barriers to learning Determine a situation which recently occurred where you were motivated to pursue a goal

5. Characteristics of Adult Learners:
According to Matthew Knowles, adults are:
Self directed
Can formulate life experiences into their learning experiences
Goal oriented

6. What factors help motivate individuals to pursue success?
Social Relationships
Create relationships with peers in an effort to make new friends
Compliance with expectations of others
Meet the expectations of what others would like for them to do
Social advancements
Create a new role as a member of society; one who is now contributing to and their community as a whole
Personal advancement
Fulfilling a personal void involving changing job status or furthering one’s career
Stimulation
Relieve boredom or pursue a new interest in a given area
Cognitive Interest
To satisfy one’s own need to achieve a particular goal

7. Barriers against learning
Lack of motivation to learn
Lack of supportive relationship with educator
Inability to use technology
Cost of education
Accessibility of educational outlet

8. Historical Views on Motivation

9. Fred Herzberg’s Motivational Theory
“Motivation is another factor which contributes to an adult learners need to pursue success. According to Herzberg, “an individual is driven by factors which include: achievement, advancement, and recognition.”

10. Maslow’s Motivational Theory
The basis of Maslow's motivation theory is that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower factors need to be satisfied before higher needs can be satisfied. According to Maslow, there are general types of needs (physiological, survival, safety, love, and esteem) that must be satisfied before a person can act unselfishly. He called these needs "deficiency needs." As long as we are motivated to satisfy these cravings, we are moving towards growth, toward self-actualization. Satisfying needs is healthy, while preventing gratification makes us sick or act evilly.
According to his hierarchy of needs, there are needs which are more important than others, which are called physiological needs. Once these needs are met, an individual must pursue endeavors which make them happy.

12. Macgregor’s Theory X and Y
Theory X- Assumes employees are lazy and resent working. They need to be closely supervised.
Theory Y- Suggests individuals are self motivated and desire the needs to do well.

13. The Expectancy Theory
Expectancy theory is comprised of three components: Expectancy, Instrumentality, and Valance.
Expectancy theory refers to an individual’s belief regarding their effort will ultimately result in attainment of a desired goal. (Scholl, 2002).
Scholl, R. Expectancy Theory. Retrieved from:

14. behavior must be observed/perceived
Attribution Theory
Weiner developed a theoretical framework that has become very influential in social psychology today. Attribution theory assumes that people try to determine why people do what they do, that is, interpret causes to an event or behavior. A three-stage process underlies an attribution:
behavior must be observed/perceived
behavior must be determined to be intentional
behavior attributed to internal or external causes
One credits their success to internal control factors(self). When someone else succeeds, one credits this to external factors. (luck).

15. Similarities of Theorists on Motivation
They require the individual to be they can achieve a chosen goal
They all rely on the individual to utilize internal factors to help achieve goal
Negative reinforcement occurs when a individual is not successful with attaining their chosen goal

16. Differences of Theories
Individual pursue goals for specific reasons
Factors may be intrinsic or external which are determined based on the theorist’s beliefs
Each theory has a different outcome for the individual once the goal is attained

17. Methods Used by Educators to Motivate Adult Learners to Achieve Success Engaging students in active learning Providing Positive Feedback Assisting students in setting realistic goals Identifying goals (Job Advancement, Increased Salaries, Grades)

18. What impact does motivation have on learning?
Does the student have a support system?
Is there effective communication present between the student and the instructor?
Is the individual’s learning experience reflect the reasons for the pursuit of the educational experience initially?

19. Personal Reflection on Motivation
My pursuit of higher education and career advancement are influenced by several factors:
The need to fulfill a personal goal of becoming a professor at the college level
The want to make my mother, son and family happy and the need to make them feel proud of me
Wanting to attain career advancement

20. I interviewed four students who I taught in a licensed practical nursing program, who also attended my review class on preparation for NYS licensure. A pretest was given to determine their cognitive ability to answer questions utilizing critical thinking skills. Based on the outcome of this test, a curriculum was followed to increase their test taking techniques and prepare them to sit for their licensure exam. A questionnaire was given after reviewing this presentation.
Feedback from Current Students on Motivation to Achieve Success

21. In your opinion, what motivates students to achieve success?
to create a better life for oneself
Why do you want achieve success?
reflection from friends and colleagues’ view of your accomplishments
Pretest: (questions you received before you started the review sessions)

22. What did you think of the pretest?
It was different from my expectations and realized the nursing program did not prepare me for this.
What did you expect to obtain from the review course?
knowledge and strategies as a means to prepare me to be success on my NYS boards

23. What are some motivational factors which influenced you to pursue a career in nursing?
Negativity from others
Money
Improve financial situation
Create opportunities for advancement

24. What are some your reasons for pursuing the LPN Program?
Readiness to take next step in health care field since currently working as a certified nursing student

25. Did I have any influence on your decisions regarding your future, and if so, why?
You challenged me to work to my fullest potential and showed me where I could be if I was willing to work for it. I understood the meaning of sacrifice.

26. Now that you went through the review course and have passed your New York State Boards which make you eligible to practice as a licensed practical nurse, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
To be enrolled in the nurse anesthetist program.

27. In your opinion, what motivates students to achieve success?
The influence of friends, peers
Why do you want achieve success?
for self gratification
Pretest: (questions you received before you started the review sessions)

28. What did you think of the pretest?
The pretest was a rude awakening for me. I realized all of the things I did not know. I also realized the nursing program did not prepare me to sit for my state boards
What did you expect to obtain from the review course?
I expected to obtain more information on how to answer questions using critical thinking.
knowledge and strategies as a means to prepare me to be success on my NYS boards

29. What are some motivational factors which influenced you to pursue a career in nursing?
Taking care of ill parent
I have always worked in the health care field and chose to further my attributes
Negative individuals who thought I could not do it

30. What are some your reasons for pursuing the LPN Program?
To create a better life for myself and my child. This is the first step to pursuing my long term goals.

31. Did I have any influence on your decisions regarding your future, and if so, why?
You were able to keep us focused and always told us our goals were never out of reach as long as I was willing to work for it.

32. Now that you went through the review course and have passed your New York State Boards which make you eligible to practice as a licensed practical nurse, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself being healthy, working and pursuing a degree for a registered professional nurse.

33. What motivates students to achieve success?
The desire to make others happy, money and self fulfillment.

34. Why do you want to achieve success?
To become a role model for my daughter to influence her to become success in the future.

35. Pretest (Questions you received prior to starting the review course)
What did you think of the pretest?
I felt it was very intimidating and realized I would have to work hard to be prepared for the state boards.

36. What did you expect to obtain from the review course?
I expected to be able to successfully answer questions and understand the reason why I made selected choices.

37. What are some motivational factors which influenced your decision to achieve success?
Being bored with current job
Wanting to help others in a different capacity. (Currently work as a certified nursing assistant).
Money
To influence my daughter to want to become successful
Feel good about myself

38. What were some of your reasons for pursuing the LPN Program?
I was not happy with my current job as a certified nursing assistant. I wanted to increased the level in which I am able to care for others.

39. Did I have any influence on your decisions regarding your future, and if so, why?
Yes, because you made me work to my fullest potential even though I was not always happy about it. I realized I could eventually reach my goals if I tried hard enough

40. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing working towards a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

41. Evaluation of Presentation:
Were the objectives met?
Did the presenter use technology to present the information?

42. Questions??????????

43. References:
Adult Learners. Rochester Institute of Technology online learning. Retrieved from
Characteristics of Adult Learners. Retrieved from
Harris, R. (1991). Some Ideas for Motivating Students. Retrieved from
Motivation. Retrieved from
Weller, M. (2005). General Principles of Motivation. Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved from
Wigfield, A., Eccles, J. (2002). Expectancy Value Theory of Motivation. Contemporary Educational Psychology. 25(1). Pg