Effects of personalization and action choices on students' intrinsic motivation towards completing assignments and learning performance

Abstract

The study examines whether different kinds of choices provided in assignment for students can promote students’ intrinsic motivation towards completing assignment and their learning performance in mathematics. A total of 55 primary 5 students were recruited in 2 schools for an after-school programme. The participants were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: 1) personalization choice, 2) action choice, and 3) no-choice control condition. Results from planned contrast tests showed that provision of action choice improved students’ perception of choice (autonomy) in doing assignment. However, the positive effect of personalization choice and action choice on students’ perceived competence, intrinsic motivation and learning benefits cannot be concluded from the current findings. The limitations and practical implications of the study are discussed.