How can E-learning theory support student motivation in Education?

1 Self-determination theory

One of the most influential theories of motivation in education is self-determination theory (SDT), which proposes that human beings have three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy means having a sense of choice and control over one's actions and goals. Competence means feeling capable and confident in one's abilities and skills. Relatedness means feeling connected and valued by others. According to SDT, when these needs are satisfied, students are more likely to be intrinsically motivated, which means they are driven by their own interest and enjoyment of learning, rather than by external rewards or pressures.

2 How to support autonomy, competence, and relatedness in e-learning

To support autonomy, competence, and relatedness in e-learning, you can apply strategies such as providing meaningful and relevant learning objectives that align with student needs and interests, offering flexible and personalized learning paths, using interactive and engaging activities and content, providing clear and constructive feedback and guidance, and creating a sense of community among students through online tools and platforms. These strategies will help your students choose how, when, and what they learn, stimulate their curiosity and creativity, monitor their progress, improve their performance, and facilitate communication, discussion, and peer support.

3 Cognitive load theory

Another important theory of e-learning is cognitive load theory (CLT), which explains how the human brain processes and stores information. According to CLT, there are three types of cognitive load: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is the inherent difficulty of the learning material. Extraneous load is the unnecessary or irrelevant information that distracts or confuses the learner. Germane load is the beneficial information that helps the learner understand and apply the learning material. According to CLT, the total cognitive load should not exceed the working memory capacity of the learner, otherwise the learning process will be impaired.

4 How to reduce extraneous load and increase germane load in e-learning

To reduce extraneous load and increase germane load in e-learning, you can apply some strategies such as simplifying and organizing the learning material into manageable chunks, using multimedia and multimodal formats, avoiding redundant or conflicting information, using examples, analogies, and scenarios to contextualize the learning material, and utilizing scaffolding and prompts to help students focus on the key concepts. These strategies can make the material clear, coherent, relevant, and applicable to your students while encouraging them to think critically and creatively.

5 Social cognitive theory

A third relevant theory of e-learning is social cognitive theory (SCT), which emphasizes the role of social and environmental factors in influencing human behavior and learning. According to SCT, people learn not only from their own experiences, but also from observing and interacting with others. SCT proposes that there are four sources of self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to achieve a desired outcome. These sources are: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and emotional states. Mastery experiences are the successful completion of tasks or challenges. Vicarious experiences are the observation of others' performance and outcomes. Verbal persuasion is the feedback or encouragement from others. Emotional states are the feelings or moods that affect one's confidence and motivation.

6 How to enhance self-efficacy and social learning in e-learning

To enhance self-efficacy and social learning in e-learning, you can apply strategies such as setting realistic and attainable goals and tasks for students to challenge themselves and experience success. Additionally, providing opportunities for students to observe and model the behavior of others, such as peers or instructors, can be beneficial. Furthermore, offering positive feedback and recognition that acknowledges their efforts and achievements can help motivate them to keep learning. Lastly, creating a safe and supportive learning environment that reduces anxiety and stress while fostering self-esteem is important.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?