Erica Ellsworth, MAEellsworth@kaplan.eduSchool of Criminal Justice, Composition

Much has been written on motivation and education.  What really works in motivating adult learners specifically in distance education?  Using the ARCS model by Dr. John Keller, I will explore design principles that encourage motivation in the online environment.

Knowles and Andragogy Adult learners are different from children

and that difference must be taken into account when considering motivation.

Keller and ARCS Design principles can help bring in the

concept of motivation. Technology is a tool that allows instructors to leverage ARCS principles to motivate students

Examples

Andragogy PedagogyLearners are called “participants” or “learners.”

Learners are called “students.”

Independent learning style. Dependent learning style.

Objectives are flexible.Objectives are predetermined and inflexible

It is assumed that the learners have experience to contribute.

It is assumed that the learners are inexperienced and/or uninformed.

Active training methods are used.Passive training methods, such as lecture, are used.

Learners influence timing and pace.  Trainer controls timing and pace.

Participant involvement is vital.Participants contribute little to the experience.

Learning is real-life problem-centered.

Learning is content-centered.

Participants are seen as primary resources for ideas and examples.

Trainer is seen as the primary resource who provides ideas and examples.

Table from The Modern Practice of Adult Education

Adults not only learn differently than children, they have different expectations of learning and education.

Life experience changes the classroom because adults expect to integrate experience with new knowledge.

The ARCS Model is Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction

The ARCS model is a “problem solving approach to designing the motivational aspects of learning environments to stimulate and sustain students’ motivation to learn” (Keller, 1987).

This is a form of design

It does not cause motivation, rather it enables technology to be manipulated to provide motivation

Gain and maintain student attention

Stimulate behavior to gain

knowledge

Maintain student interests

Relate to learner’s experience

Set and explain goals through

objectives

Meet and match student motivation

Make students aware of

requirements

Provide multiple achievement levels

Provide feedback.

Give students the chance to use the knowledge in a real setting

Provide feedback and reinforcement

Maintain constant standards

We know what Keller’s ARCS Model calls for, and we know the limitations of design in our own courses.

How do we manipulate technology to incorporate ARCS principles?

What works?

Consider these two TED videos: Stanley McChrystal http://www.ted.com/talks/

stanley_mcchrystal.html Dan Pinkhttp://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/

dan_pink_on_motivation.html

“If we aren’t excited, our students aren’t excited.”

Enthusiasm is contagious. It MOTIVATES students.

How do you get student attention? Weekly announcements Articles and videos to reinforce topics Link current events to topics OR topics

to workplace Stimulate behavior to gain knowledge

Maintain interest

Get student’s attention

http://ericacjctopicchat.blogspot.com/

How are you relevant? Ask students to relate their experiences

to topic at hand Checklists Are you as excited as students?

Relate to learner’s experience

Set goals and explain objectives

In discussion and seminar, ask Bob to clarify how he uses writing as a patrol officer. Ask Sally how fire science uses writing.

Taken directly from the assignment

rubric

Do students know and understand how to be successful in the course? Rubrics Checklists Clear feedback

All give students a clear sense of what is expected of them and how they can

be successful. Also shows students how to evaluate strengths and

weaknesses .

Grading is personal

What I might see as the most important thing on a rubric, a colleague may see as the least important thing

I use templates to show my expectations and to give students a step in the right direction

Do students see the use of knowledge? Can they see that their time is “well spent”? Writing is used everyday. For

example . . . This is a skill you will use (summary,

explanation, etc.) Rubrics and feedback

This is what we are learning,

and this is how you can use

it. This is what you are

doing effectively, and this

can use improvement.

CONSISTENCY

Knowles argued that adult learners differ greatly from children.

Knowing this, does the carrot and stick approach that is used with children really work with adults?

Adults are generally motivated when they are given clear goals that are related to their personal goals.

Adults want to see how learning is related to careers and everyday life.

Adults want time maximized. In other words, can they access information quickly and easily?

Utilizes Andragogy and ARCS to meet student needs

Ensures that we are effective communicators Objectives Goals Expectations Achievement

Integrate academic learning with real world situations Show students how they can use their

information Bring in our own industry experience

Maximize time by modeling time management and goal setting Checklist, calendars, etc. Share effective strategies

We have different levels of learners. Remember that the “A” student needs as much motivation as the failing or struggling student.

Give levels of achievement expectation. Challenge students to move up a level.

One size does not fit all.

Keep a bag of tricks handy.

There will be times when we can’t motivate our students. That is not a failing on our part.

What works this term might fail next term, and what failed this term may work next term.

We cannot make our students learn or be excited about a topic. We CAN give them the tools to learn.

Keller, J. M. (1987a). Development and use of the ARCS model of motivational design. Journal of Instructional Development, 10(3), 2 – 10.

Keller, J. M. (1987b). Strategies for stimulating the motivation to learn. Performance & Instruction, 26(8), 1-7.

Keller, J. M. (1999). Motivation in cyber learning environments. Educational Technology International, 1(1), 7 – 30.

Knowles, M. S. (1980). The Modern Practice of Adult Education. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Keller’s Website:http://www.arcsmodel.com/home.htm