Conference Tracks
Learning Theories and Pedagogy – Research
Abstract
Reducing resistance and improving engagement in mandatory college courses is challenging because greater engagement typically means better academic performance. Pedagogies attempting to compel better performance, especially in mandatory courses, only reinforce student resistance. The harder teachers push, the more students resist. The result is non-engaged ambivalence amplified by peer rejection fears. Preliminary results from ongoing student engagement research indicate 1) non-coercive pedagogies reduce resistance (hence ambivalence) thereby unlocking latent engagement, and 2) pedagogies informed by “Motivational Interviewing” (Miller & Rollnick) further elicit improved engagement, academic performance, satisfaction, and retention. Efficacy of this approach is measured by quantitative and qualitative methods.
Session Format
Research Brief and Reflection Panels
1
Location
Scarbrough Three
Recommended Citation
jones, lars r. Ph.D., "Eliciting Engagement & Retention in Required College Courses with Motivational Interviewing" (2020). SoTL Commons Conference. 76.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2020/76
Eliciting Engagement & Retention in Required College Courses with Motivational Interviewing
Scarbrough Three
Reducing resistance and improving engagement in mandatory college courses is challenging because greater engagement typically means better academic performance. Pedagogies attempting to compel better performance, especially in mandatory courses, only reinforce student resistance. The harder teachers push, the more students resist. The result is non-engaged ambivalence amplified by peer rejection fears. Preliminary results from ongoing student engagement research indicate 1) non-coercive pedagogies reduce resistance (hence ambivalence) thereby unlocking latent engagement, and 2) pedagogies informed by “Motivational Interviewing” (Miller & Rollnick) further elicit improved engagement, academic performance, satisfaction, and retention. Efficacy of this approach is measured by quantitative and qualitative methods.
