SELF-EFFICACY AND MOTIVATION

Innovative Methods and Practices of Academic Writing and Writing Instruction

SELF­EFFICACY AND MOTIVATION

Leonie Kirchhoff¹, Cordula Maja Jeszke²

1. University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany 2. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany

Students’ perceived “self­efficacy” is said to be an essential factor that can positively influence writing motivation and thus writing achievement (Troia, Schankland and Wolbers 2012; Gardner 1985).

Difficulties which are encountered with writing tasks are often associated with greater anxiety which was determined to be a serious impediment to achievement and positive concepts of self­efficacy (Hill 1984; Berliner 1993). In Germany alone, 50% of people who end their studies prematurely do so because of “major writing problems” (Bräuer, 2004). Because writing difficulties can so adversely affect students' motivation, enhancing writing self­efficacy beliefs can greatly bolster their motivation and keep students from giving up on their studies. Indeed, several studies conclude that instructors who can enhance students’ perceived self­efficacy as a writer might eventually lead their students to successful writing (Graham 2007; Noels, Clement and Pelletier 1999; Ryan and Deci 2000; Schunk 2008; Troia, Schankland and Wolbers 2012). During the presentation, qualitative and quantitative data from surveys, which were distributed to a representative body of first year students, will be discussed.

This data supports the idea that improved writing skills can positively impact self­efficacy beliefs as well as levels of writing motivation. Effective tools for positively enhancing writing motivation such as enhancing a feeling of self­determination, giving informative feedback, setting clear goals and creating a relaxed atmosphere will also be introduced and discussed (Schunk 2008). The research will therefore demonstrate how writing instructors can promote students’ motivation by enhancing their self­efficacy beliefs.

References

Deci, Edward L. & Ryan, Richard M. 1985. “Intrinsic Motivation and self­determination in human behaviour”, ​ Perspectives in Social Psychology.

Gardner, Robert C. 1985, “Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation”, ​ The Social Psychology of Language,​ vol. 4.

Pajares, Frank 1996, “Self­Efficacy Beliefs in Academic Settings”, ​ Review of Educational Research, no.4, p.543­578 (online Sagepub.com).

Schunk, Dale H. 2008, “Factors Affecting Self­Efficacy”, ​ Self­efficacy, adaptation, and adjustment: Theory Research and Applications, ​ p. 285­293.

Williams, James D. & Takaku, Seiji 2011, “Help Seeking, self­efficacy, and writing performance among college students”, ​ Journal of Writing Research, ​ vol.3, no.1, p. 1­18.