Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Publication
    Open Access
    A motivational analysis of project work in Singapore using self-determination theory
    (Time Taylor International, 2011) ; ; ; ;
    Ee, Jessie
    Our students today face a knowledge-based economy, which requires the ability to learn independently, to be innovative in using and synthesizing knowledge, and to adapt fast to the changing world. Project Work (PW) is introduced as one of the instructional models for a more student-centered approach of learning in Singapore. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of project work (PW) and study the motivational processes of PW using a self-determination theory (SDT) framework. A total of 435 students from Normal Academic stream (NA) and Normal Technical stream (NT) were recruited from four secondary schools in Singapore. Students‟ perceptions of the values of PW, basic psychological needs, relative autonomy, enjoyment, and grades were measured across three time points. Results showed that students valued the PW experience. However, their enjoyment, needs, and relative autonomy decreased significantly in the 10 to 12 weeks of PW experience. Multiple regression analyses revealed that post-PW enjoyment negatively predicted PW grades, while psychological needs, relative autonomy and pre-PW enjoyment positively predicted post-PW enjoyment. After 6-month PW, post-PW enjoyment emerged as a stronger predictor than grades in predicting the perceived skills learned from PW. The study applies self-determination theory to the PW context and highlights the importance of facilitating the three psychological needs in the PW context to enhance students‟ motivation and achievement in PW.
      769  1426
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Project work and life skills: Psychometric properties of the life effectiveness questionnaire for project work
    (Hong Kong Educational Research Association, 2008) ;
    Neill, James T.
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Ee, Jessie
    The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Life Effectiveness Questionnaire - Version H (LEQ-H), an instrument for the assessment of life skills in project work (PW) context with Singaporean students. Specifically, we examined the internal consistency, as well as discriminant and convergent validity of the subscales in LEQ-H. Second, I've tested the proposed measurement model against four other alternative models and confirmed with a second sample. In addition, I've examined the invariance of the measurement tool across gender. A total of 1,264 secondary school students were recruited from nine typical government funded co-educational secondary schools in Singapore. All the subscales had adequate internal consistency but two subscales lacked convergent validity. Five competing models were compared using confirmatory factor analyses. The results provide evidence of a seven first-order measurement model of the LEQ-H. Multi-group analysis demonstrated invariance of the factor forms, factor loadings, factor variances, and factor covariances, error variances and disturbances across gender. In summa!)', the findings affirm that the LEQ-H, with the seven first-order measurement model, can be an appropriate measurement tool to assess the effects of PW on students' life skills such as time management, social competence, achievement motivation, task leadership, emotional control, active initiative and self-confidence.
      773  956
  • Publication
    Open Access
    Students’ discourse and motivation in project work
    This study, undertaken in Singapore, investigates aspects of students' motivation in undertaking Project Work (PW), and explores the link between motivation and the quality of students' discourse during group discussions. It uses a Self-Determination framework to answer questions on students' perceived satisfaction ofbasic psychological needs, motivation and performance outcomes. Analysis of students' discourse during PW helped to substantiate survey findings, which showed that the participating students perceived satisfaction in the need for competence and relatedness, but less in autonomy support. Furthermore, many students were extrinsically motivated in PW, appreciating its value but not necessarily finding enjoyment in the process. Students' talk during PW group discussions tended to be of the practical (problem-solving) mode and cumulative (collaborative, non-critical) type. The findings suggest that, in order to enhance motivation and task engagement, students should be encouraged to share knowledge explicitly and to make their thinking visible through discourse.
      414  215
  • Publication
    Metadata only
    Problem-based learning and technology: Impact on preservice teachers' motivational orientations
    Problem-based learning (PBL) is an inquiry-based approach to learning that requires students to be engaged with a real-world problem. PBL is underpinned by constructivist learning principles whereby learners will be intrinsically motivated as they are challenged and given autonomy to direct their own learning. In the COVID-19 pandemic teaching and learning landscape, there is an increasing need to harness the affordances of technology to engage students in their learning. In this chapter, preservice teachers are immersed in either a traditional PBL environment (tPBL) or an technology-enhanced PBL environment (ePBL). The focus of this study is to examine the effects of PBL (tPBL and ePBL) on preservice teachers’ motivational orientations. The understanding of the changes in preservice teachers’ motivational orientations after PBL (tPBL and ePBL) will inform teacher educators on how to improve on its implementation to enhance preservice teachers’ motivation to learn. An understanding of how a constructivist pedagogical approach impact on preservice teachers’ motivation to learn is pivotal as teachers role model and design learning environment to inculcate in their learners the motivation and passion to learn and become lifelong learners.
      63
  • Publication
    Metadata only
    Digital portfolios for problem-based learning: Impact on preservice teachers’ learning strategies

    The digital portfolio is often used to assess both student learning process and outcomes. It provides a space where students assume agency over their learning and assessment. However, beyond assessment, the digital portfolio in initial teacher preparation programme can be a student-centric scaffold to facilitate preservice teachers’ acquisition of learning strategies. This is increasingly relevant in a post-covid teaching and learning environment where technology is used to minimise disruption to learning. In this chapter, ePBL is a pedagogical approach whereby the digital portfolio is used as a mediating space for preservice teachers to learn within a Problem-based Learning (PBL) environment. The digital portfolio allows preservice teachers to make their thinking visible to themselves, peers and tutors, reflect on their thoughts and acquire learning strategies for self-directed ad collaborative learning. The focus of this study is to examine the effects of ePBL on preservice teachers’ learning strategies. The understanding of the changes in preservice teachers’ learning strategies after PBL (face-to-face PBL and ePBL) will inform teacher educators on how to improve on its implementation to develop preservice teachers’ learning strategies. Specifically, it informs the design and use of the digital portfolio within a PBL environment to facilitate the development of preservice teachers’ learning strategies. In addition, limitations of the study and future research will also be discussed in the chapter.

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