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Motivating online information literacy students.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

The design of online information literacy courses should include various motivational strategies and techniques. Librarians should consider what motivates students in the online environment. This article presents a brief overview of Moore's theory of transactional distance and Keller's ARCS model of motivational design. Also included are factors in course design that affect student motivation, such as: visual design, content, and communication.

Introduction

Information literacy instruction is emphasized at Louisiana State University and implemented through a variety of methods such as course-related instruction, web-based tutorials, point of need instruction, and through LIS 1001, the Library Research Methods and Materials class. Credit-based library instruction at LSU began in the mid 1930's. Instruction for LIS 1001 is provided to students through two separate mediums: completely online and in an electronic classroom within Middleton Library. The online version of the class was established fall 2000. Since the inception of the online information literacy course more than forty sections of the class have been taught reaching over 1450 students. The Instruction Committee within the library hopes to add more sections of the course to the online environment. As information literacy instruction moves more towards a virtual pedagogy, librarians should consider what motivates students in the online environment, specifically in online information literacy classes.

Motivating students is an important aspect of teaching. In regards to student learning, motivation refers to the "inner processes that determine whether learners will engage in a task, the amount of effort they will expend, the length of time they will persevere and the persistence they will show when obstacles are encountered" (Jenkins, 2003, p. 32). The views that students who choose online classes are more motivated than their conventional counterparts are becoming more difficult to defend. With the development of course management software and the use of the Internet, universities are continually placing a higher emphasis on online learning. It is not uncommon to find traditional students selecting online classes because they are convenient to their schedules and they view themselves as competent in the online environment.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

Some psychologists have described motivation as a trait or individual characteristic while others...

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