UNDERSTANDING THE MOTIVATION OF TERTIARY STUDENTS

G. Stewart Von Itzstein and Frank Fursenko, School of Computer and Information Science, University of South Australia, Australia

The research in this paper suggests that we need a meta-level framework that identifies the engagement (motivation) and capability of students and suggests the best teaching methodology for those students. This paper shows that students can be divided into four stereotypes or categories that indicate the relative engagement and capability of each category of student. The relationship of these four stereotypes to the learning levels of Bloom’s Cognitive sub-domain is also discussed. This paper also identifies the teaching vectors that are used in various combinations in all teaching methodologies. The appropriate use of teaching vectors is fundamental to establishing a meta-level framework that can be used to build engagement strategies.