Faculty FridayJane Wimberg

1
Motivating Online Learners

• Techniques and methods on integrating motivation
  into online courses

2
Motivation Issues in Online Environments

• Distributed level of effort
• Transactional distance, interaction
• Knowledge can be constructed
• Learning strategies
• For deeper learners, who relish the chance to
  explore
• - For surface learners, who can be overwhelmed

3
Motivation Perception Value

• Achievement requires aptitude and motivation
• Motivation requires a combination of attitude,
  strategy and drive
• Instructors and professors can encourage a
  positive attitude by modeling.
• Teacher can also encourage improving study
  strategies

4
Motivation Perception Value

• Traditionally, it has been instructors
  responsibility that learning occurs and the
  students responsibility to get motivated
• A student-centered view asks the students to take
  responsibility for learning while sharing the
  motivation responsibility with the instructor
• Huitt, 1998

5
Motivation Issues inOnline Environments (contd)

• Pace can be individualized
• Content can be presented to suit a variety of
  learning styles
• Interference time wasted learning delivery
  tools (hardware and software)

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Maximize Motivation Online Tips

• Follow the ARCS model
• Design site with text/graphics/audio/video
• Make students responsible for some of their own
  learning
• Minimize information overload by highlighting
  selected materials
• Encourage/Require discussion board participation
  (reflective reading response)
• Make yourself and other students available
  through chat and email

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Online Tips (contd)

• First week, set the tone of getting to know
  each other with mini-autobiographies
• During course, plan for bi-weekly interaction
• Have students contribute publicly to lessons
  (presentation, Website review)
• Use peer review
• Make special efforts to show your personality
  (attaboys, smileys, anecdotes)
• Seek student evaluation and feedback of lessons

8
Online Tips (contd)

• Encourage students to evaluate their learning
  strategies
• Model a positive and helpful attitude
• First week, lessen impact of interference by
  assigning course tool familiarization

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Worksheet
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References

• Reigeluth, Charles M. Instructional-Design
  Theories and Models.
• Keller, John M. Strategies for Stimulating the
  Motivation to Learn. Performance and
  Instruction, October 1987.
• Martin, Jeff and Kinuthia, Wanjira. Motivating
  Online Learners OLL Staff Resources.