The Impact of Project-based Learning and Direct Instruction on the Motivation and Engagement of Middle School Students
Abstract
This quantitative study sought to compare the levels of motivation and
engagement for middle school students before and after the implementation of
both project-based learning and direct instruction. Student participants completed the Intrinsic
Motivation Inventory [IMI] (Deci & Ryan, 2017) to assess their levels of
motivation prior to and after instruction.
In addition, engagement data was obtained utilizing the Student
Engagement Walkthrough Checklist (SEWC) created by the International Center for
Leadership in Education. Surveys were
used to collect data from a sample of 6th, 7th, and 8th
grade students in a rural southwestern Tennessee school district in the United
States of America before and after project-based learning and direct
instruction lessons. Data analyses
revealed significant differences in motivation and engagement levels before and
after (a) project-based learning and (b) direct instruction. Significant differences in motivation and
engagement of students were also found between groups of students who had
experienced project-based learning as compared to direct instruction.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Studies on Education
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Colette Carrabba
*
This is me
United States
Aarek Farmer
*
0000-0001-6930-5839
United States
Publication Date
December 30, 2018
Submission Date
June 7, 2018
Acceptance Date
October 12, 2018
Published in Issue
Year 2018 Volume: 1 Number: 2