A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9)
Research findings indicate a decline in students’ motivation towards science learning through grade levels. However, there is a lack of studies investigating students’ motivation comparing learning between science subjects and at different school levels. Using self-determination theory as a framewor...
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doaj-73496a8955c642bd81bdabfc0e4624342021-01-02T00:01:06ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022021-01-0111141410.3390/educsci11010014A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9)Moonika Teppo0Regina Soobard1Miia Rannikmäe2Centre for Science Education, University of Tartu, 60532 Tartu, EstoniaCentre for Science Education, University of Tartu, 60532 Tartu, EstoniaCentre for Science Education, University of Tartu, 60532 Tartu, EstoniaResearch findings indicate a decline in students’ motivation towards science learning through grade levels. However, there is a lack of studies investigating students’ motivation comparing learning between science subjects and at different school levels. Using self-determination theory as a framework, this study compares perceived changes in intrinsic motivation and student opinions on the relevance of learning science themes among students in grades 6 and 9 (the end of compulsory schooling). To explore such learning, a multidimensional validated instrument is developed and used to collect empirical data from 2673 grade 6 students and 848 grade 9 students. Results from this research indicate statistically significant subject differences regarding sub-components of intrinsic motivation and a declining trend in students’ opinions on the sub-scales of relevance for learning science themes with age. The results further indicate that grade 6 students report significantly higher science-related intrinsic motivation compared with grade 9 students. Suggestions and implications for practice and the potential impact on PISA science studies are discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/1/14self-determination theoryintrinsic motivationrelevancestudents’ opinions |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Moonika Teppo Regina Soobard Miia Rannikmäe |
spellingShingle |
Moonika Teppo Regina Soobard Miia Rannikmäe A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9) Education Sciences self-determination theory intrinsic motivation relevance students’ opinions |
author_facet |
Moonika Teppo Regina Soobard Miia Rannikmäe |
author_sort |
Moonika Teppo |
title |
A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9) |
title_short |
A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9) |
title_full |
A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9) |
title_fullStr |
A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9) |
title_full_unstemmed |
A Study Comparing Intrinsic Motivation and Opinions on Learning Science (Grades 6) and Taking the International PISA Test (Grade 9) |
title_sort |
study comparing intrinsic motivation and opinions on learning science (grades 6) and taking the international pisa test (grade 9) |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Education Sciences |
issn |
2227-7102 |
publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
description |
Research findings indicate a decline in students’ motivation towards science learning through grade levels. However, there is a lack of studies investigating students’ motivation comparing learning between science subjects and at different school levels. Using self-determination theory as a framework, this study compares perceived changes in intrinsic motivation and student opinions on the relevance of learning science themes among students in grades 6 and 9 (the end of compulsory schooling). To explore such learning, a multidimensional validated instrument is developed and used to collect empirical data from 2673 grade 6 students and 848 grade 9 students. Results from this research indicate statistically significant subject differences regarding sub-components of intrinsic motivation and a declining trend in students’ opinions on the sub-scales of relevance for learning science themes with age. The results further indicate that grade 6 students report significantly higher science-related intrinsic motivation compared with grade 9 students. Suggestions and implications for practice and the potential impact on PISA science studies are discussed. |
topic |
self-determination theory intrinsic motivation relevance students’ opinions |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/1/14 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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