CHAPTER 3: Predictors for Intrinsic Motivation: Students’ Ages and Project Based Learning

Undergraduate students on the adventure to learn in their Introduction to Psychology class often embrace and share individual life experiences, thereby reflecting increased personal meaning while learning concepts. Educators may enhance learning opportunities by understanding if there is a difference between students’ motivation based on their ages (traditional age 18–24 and non-traditional age 25+), particularly as students are sharing personal reflections through project based learning. Educators who choose to incorporate the opportunity for students’ sharing of real-life experiences within the curriculum may strengthen students’ academic commitments to curricula thereby increasing motivation. Project based learning environments with real world application have been shown to encourage motivation and learning (Boondee, Kidrakarn, & Sa-Ngiamvibool, 2011). For example, project based learning curricula may include assessment measures for academic presence, group work, and real world purpose as predictors for student motivation (Ocak & Uluyol, 2010). Developing and sustaining learners can be enhanced as we understand predictors for learning and motivation within the classroom.