Evaluating the Impact of Teaching Methods on Student Motivation

Abstract

Educational institutions are consistently looking for ways to prepare students for the competitive workforce. The challenge to do more with less is carried over from industry into the classroom. Various methods have been utilized to interpret human differences, such as learning preferences and motivation, to make the curriculum more valuable. The objective of this research was to determine the impact of new teaching methods on students’ comprehension and knowledge retention within an undergraduate course. New technology and techniques tailored to the student’s individual learning preferences were introduced into the curriculum. The study surveyed students at the beginning and end of a semester to determine the impact on the student’s experience. The survey assessed if implementing tools that catered to the student’s specific learning preference would have an impact on his/her motivation. An analysis was performed using Chi-Square test to examine how the student’s education experience improved through the application of the new curriculum tools. The results showed the tools had a positive impact on the student’s learning experience. The analysis also suggests that students experienced a change in motivation throughout the semester. This shows that in some aspects more investigation is required in order to identify causes for the motivational shifts.