Reconciling Motivation Theory with Practice to Create Optimum Online

Learning Environments

Eldonna L. May, Ph.D.September 2, 2012

Environment Independent livingDiversity and divergence of ideas Problem-solving Self-advocacyOpportunities

Creative capacity and talents Aesthetic sensitivity Effective communication of ideas (W)Holistic balance in life Risk-taking = growth and development

Behavioral – Operant Conditioning/Social Learning Theory Bandura Knowles Skinner

Cognitive – Mastery Learning & Achievement Atkinson Piaget Stipek

Humanistic – Growth Motivation/Hierarchy of Needs Maslow

Behaviorism Social Learning Theory Cognitivism

Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Reinforcement occurs inconsistently and too long after a desired response has occurred. Positive behavior is not reinforced; negative behavior is punished. Therefore:

Reinforce positive behavior often

Shape, don’t punish, negative behavior

Trick: Focus on reinforcing learner successes, rather than punishing failures. Combine praise with constructive criticism.

In cognitive theory, complex and individualized mental processes greatly influence individual learners.

A core belief of constructivism is that learners create their own knowledge by assigning meaning and context to the information presented.

Pedagogical SocialManagerial Technical

The combination of the above roles make you a “Facilitator” of the learning process.

The Online Faculty Profile Sometimes, this profile is all students get other than content

Is That Enough?Is there more that can be shared? To what end?

A “Clickable” InstructorWhat do students want to know about you?Where will they look?Google?Facebook?Personal Website?What Can You Share?

lyrical approachmulti-disciplinary Reframing design solutions

Friends, Peers, Colleagues, etc.

Look & Sound Familiar

Connections, Conversations

The Personality of You and Your Course

The lyrical approach, one that is iterative and multi-disciplinary, allows the framing and reframing of the problem until the design solutions emerge.

What does “ambience” look like in F2F classroom setting? Online course site?

Create similar visual stimuli in your course site that emulate a classroom setting.

Web design is important! Make your course site entry point an appealing, welcoming virtual space. Vibrant, colorful, clear and easy to navigate to the various components of the site.

Nurturance Empowerment Structure Teamwork

What strategies can online educators use to foster a nest environment in their course sites?

A larger footprint is like a well-used, comfortable home. It says, “I have lived here and am familiar with my surroundings.”A smaller footprint is like one of those homes that is so clean you are afraid to sit on the couch. Or, it looks as if you are inexperienced and new to this digital world.

Essential Elements in Online Courses Learner Agreement Orientation Package/Quiz Syllabus Inter-related Individual Assignments Group Projects Discussion Forums/Journals/Blogs Assessment

Provide Structure Provide Incentives, Rewards & Reinforcement Foster Creativity Identify ideas that enhance learning Integrate principles of teaching/learning into

courses (social learning, mastery learning, feedback)

Promote expression of alternative views, ideas; critical thinking

Avoid “learner blame” Keep expectations reasonable

*All images courtesy of Google Images