Intrinsic Motivation and the Process of Learning Beneficial

“Intrinsic Motivation and the Process of Learning: Beneficial Effects of Contextualization, Personalization, and the Choice” Diana I. Cordova and Mark R. Lepper Journal of Educational Psychology 1996, Vol. 88, No. 4, 715 -730 Presented by: Youngmee Choi

Goals • Issue-recognizing coach + motivational enhancements environment • Explore effects of different motivational enhancements to an educational game – Contextualization, Personlization, Choice • Measure impact on student: – Learning – Intrinsic motivation: Direct & relative enjoyment – Longer term motivation: Self-competence & aspiration for future challenge – Task involvement

Experimental Method • Participants: – 4 th & 5 th graders 70 students • 5 Conditions: – No Fantasy control, Generic Fantasy-No Choice, Generic Fantasy-Choice, Personalized Fantasy-No Choice, Personalized Fantasy-Choice • Procedure(5 sessions): – Pre-test, Interest questionnaire, Play “Space Quest” or “Math Game”, Play “Treasure Hunt” or “Math Game”, Post-test

Achieving Fantasy Effects • Two fantasies: – “Space Quest” & “Treasure Hunt” • Changes: – Start page included title & relevant icons – Prologue: Intro characters & mission – Game board changes: “Intergalactic trail” from “Earth” to “Planet Ektar”

Achieving Personalization Effects • Use interest questionnaire from day 1 • Change in prologue • It’s [child’s bday], 1044. …your crew [3 friends]… necessary supplies [3 favorite foods & toys] … Commander [nickname] • Use child’s name for various events: – Each turn: “Commander Peter’s turn” – Landing on intergalactic tunnel, on Earth • Landing on Space Station – “You landed on the space station, Commander Peter. You are now resupplied with[child’s 3 favorite foods]

Achieving Student Choice effects • Students make the following choices: – Select the icon to represent them – Name their space vehicle – Select icon for alien (opponent) – Name their opponent – Select starting point for the two shortcuts on board

Conclusion • Motivational enhancements can have a dramatic effect – Not only on motivation, but also on learning • Contextualizing, personalizing, & choice all provided enhancement – Possible with minimal modifications • General principle – Maximize match between motivating activity & actions relevant to learning

Future Works • How could we make use of such results in cognitive tutors? • Fantasy --> Context problem – Survey students interests – Incorporate in problems – Feedback