Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
The affective domain is important to study, because it is an important component of student learning. This research focuses on motivation within the affective domain, particularly intrinsic goal orientation, extrinsic goal orientation, task value, and self efficacy, along with academic interest introductory geology courses at the College of William and Mary. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, the Academic Interest Survey, and telephone interviews provided data on motivation and interest of the students in the geology courses. Results indicate that there was a significant decrease in the motivation components throughout the semester, and science interest correlated to motivation, except in extrinsic goal orientation. Students indicated that science and science labs were among the least interesting academic topics relative to other General Education Requirements. The interview provided answers to why students were taking the class, why students felt their geology class was valuable or not valuable, how confident students were that they would do well in the course, what topics students found interesting, and why they found particular topics interesting.
Date Awarded
2011
Department
Geology
Recommended Citation
Broznak, Caitlin, "Motivation and Academic Interests of Students in Three Introductory Geology Courses at the College of William and Mary" (2011). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 247.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/247
