Case Studies Of Graduate Professional Course Of Study Motivation

Motivation is essential to effective learning, but a number of researches show that Chinese postgraduates display very weak motivation about their academic studies. Many of them feel bored and even wish to give up their study. Among the various factors that may contribute to their lack of interest, the fact that they are not properly motivated is crucial. Therefore, it is of great significance to conduct a research on postgraduates' learning motivation.The problem of the postgraduates' learning motivation involves many factors. From the angle of teaching process, on the basis of literature study, this thesis examines the present situation of postgraduates' learning motivation, analyzes the cause of motivation problem, and summarizes the research situation of learning motivation in field of psychology, teaching theory, and educational design.This thesis is a case study of motivation design for the course Instructional Message Design, a required course for the educational technology MA students. Starting from an analysis of the course and student features, the author first examines the motivation strategies the course instructor uses, identifying its strengths and weaknesses. Then the thesis puts forward the following suggestions and strategies by applying motivation theories and considering students' needs:Suggestions:(1) The teacher and the students should cooperate with each other in supplementing, improving and perfecting the existing teaching materials.(2) Adopt co-instruction method by the teacher and the students.(3) Set up the diversified evaluation system by the teacher and the students.Strategies:(1) Make attractive goals.(2) Instruct principles of the teaching message design with real examples.(3) Topics should be related to students' experience, and each one should be discussed further. (4) Timely help.(5) Timely feedback to stimulate students' learning motive.The next chapter is an application of the proposed strategies to actual practice. The author chooses the Principles of Attitude Change, the last chapter of Instructional Message Design, as the demonstration unit. A detailed teaching plan is designed with an emphasis on motivation strategies. This teaching plan is then implemented, and students' feedback is collected through a questionnaire and interviews. The results show that the proposed motivation strategies have stimulated students' learning interest and facilitated their learning to some extent.The last chapter, as the concluding section, summarizes the thesis and points out its limitations.