The Effects of Rewards on Motivation Within Higher Education Residential Learning Curricula

The Effects of Rewards on Motivation Within Higher Education Residential Learning Curricula

Presenter(s)

Megan JF Will

Comments

This poster reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process.

Description

The University of Dayton AVIATE Program strives to further students’ learning outside the classroom by educating individuals on the concepts of authorship, interculturalism, and community living within a residential curriculum. AVIATE attendees are rewarded for participation in program events via a point system which is utilized in housing assignments for the coming year. This study aims to discover what motivates students to continue their studies in a residential environment and the effect rewards and teamwork play on motivation and participation. Data compiled by the University of Dayton department of Housing and Residence Life was analyzed to determine how likely students are to attend residential educational programming, the role rewards play in learning, and students’ reliance on teamwork to achieve shared goals. Results indicate that students' motivation levels vary. While the majority of students partake in fewer than 20 AVIATE events each year, overall program participation has grown, particularly with student groups working toward the common goal of rooming together in the upcoming year. This is especially true for 5-student teams who most recently averaged attendance at 36 events per person. The exception lies with students who choose not to request roommates for the following year. These individuals may attend a single AVIATE event during the academic year. Thus, student motivation in residential learning is largely affected by a combination of the creation by teams of shared goals as well as extrinsic reward opportunities.

Publication Date

4-24-2019

Project Designation

Course Project

Primary Advisor

Graham F. Hunter

Primary Advisor's Department

Counselor Education

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, student affairs, School of Education and Health Sciences

The Effects of Rewards on Motivation Within Higher Education Residential Learning Curricula

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