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Master of Education Program Theses
5-2018
Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can
Lead Their Students to Intrinsic Motivation in Meaningful Work Lead Their Students to Intrinsic Motivation in Meaningful Work
Rhonda Van Donge
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Van Donge, Rhonda, “Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can Lead Their Students to Intrinsic Motivation in Meaningful Work” (2018). Master of Education Program Theses. 119. https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/med_theses/119
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Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can Lead Their Authentic Learning Experiences: Investigating How Teachers Can Lead Their Students to Intrinsic Motivation in Meaningful Work Students to Intrinsic Motivation in Meaningful Work
Abstract Abstract This action research study investigated how an authentic learning experience impacted the motivation and engagement of students toward finding intrinsic value in meaningful work in a sophomore English classroom at a private Christian high school in the Midwest. The participants were 57 sophomores at the high school taking required English 10. The students participated in an authentic learning experience (ALE) designed by their teacher in which they were split into 10 teams, each team writing and designing one issue the sophomore class’s newspaper. The 57 students completed an anonymous survey at the conclusion of the authentic learning experience. Eight students were randomly chosen to be interviewed about their experiences in the ALE. The results of the study suggested that authentic learning experiences do contribute to the overall motivation and engagement of students to find intrinsic value in their work.
Document Type Document Type Thesis
Degree Name Degree Name Master of Education (MEd)
Department Department Graduate Education
First Advisor First Advisor Patricia C. Kornelis
Keywords Keywords Master of Education, thesis, authentic learning, motivation, engagement, high school, Christian education
