The Motivational Effects of the Classroom Environment in Facilitating Self-Regulated Learning

Abstract

Students can be proactive and engaged or, alternatively, lack initiative and responsibility for their learning. Self-regulated learning involves learning strategies and mental processes that learners deliberately engage to help themselves learn and perform better academically. The results of this study provide empirical support for the theoretical relationships among cognitive evaluation theory, achievement goal theory, and self-regulated learning strategies in the context of the classroom. Superficial learning strategies were linked to extrinsic motivation, while intrinsic motivation determined deep cognitive and metacognitive strategy usage. Perceived autonomy, perceived competence, and task mastery orientation mediated the classroom environment’s effect on intrinsic motivation. These findings suggest that active applicationoriented experience delivered by enthusiastic faculty, who provide high interaction, supportive feedback, and clear goals that emphasize learning over grades, will increase intrinsic motivation and the use of self-regulated learning strategies. Teaching guidelines and pedagogical examples for enhancing intrinsic motivation are provided.