Students’ Motivation and Instructors’ Technology Use in Higher Education: A Case Study in the Gulf Region

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to research a problem presented in Middle East countries: Students’ boredom and lack of motivation to interact in their classrooms in higher education. The focus of the study was to find ways in which technology can be used as a means to motivate students to interact with each other and with the learning activities in classrooms. Keller’s motivational theory and its components (Attention, Relevance, Satisfaction, Confidence [ARCS]) provided the theory to address the relationship between technology and student interest in the classroom. Keller posited that these four categories operated together to motivate students to interact in the classroom. The study was conducted in a public college in the Gulf nation. The participants were 600 students and 30 instructors. Four surveys were used in this study; three of them were given to the students and one was given to the instructors. The findings supported Keller’s motivational theory and its components regarding using technology to motivate students to interact with their instructors, with the learning activities, and with each other. There was a significant correlation between using technology in classrooms and gaining students’ attention. There was a significant correlation between using technology and the relevance of the material presented in classrooms and students’ real life. There was a significant correlation between using technology and students’ confidence in participating in classrooms using technology.  There was a significant correlation between using technology and students’ satisfaction with the material presented in classrooms. ARCS was significantly correlated with students’ learning experiences, students’ learning strategies, and computer use in course.

Keywords: Students’ motivation, interaction, technology, ARCS model