Internalisation of Situational Motivation in an E-Learning Scenario Using Gamification

摘要

Self-directed learning is of critical importance in adult learning, for example, when taking part in online courses or learning at universities. To work on a challenging topic continuously requires learners to self-motivate. By applying self-determination theory to address the basic psychological needs for competence, autonomy and related-ness, the internalisation of motivation can be fostered. We implemented a learning environment, which addresses these needs using gamification elements to scaffold situational motivation, and compared it with a control version in a user study to investigate the effect of the implemented gamification elements on the internalization of situational motivation. Our results show an internalization of situational motivation with significantly higher internalised and significantly lower extrinsic situational motivation in the gamified version relative to the control condition.