Comparative study of learning motivation among physiotherapist students during the school year

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to consider the difference in the motivation to learn between students of different school years in a department of physical therapy. [Participants and Methods] Eighty-one first year students and 74 second year students attending the daytime course of the Department of Physical Therapy, Vocational Technical School A, which has a 3-year learning system were the subjects. They were requested to answer an on-line questionnaire, consisting of 14 items, regarding their motivation to learn. [Results] In the questionnaire results, responses of “because classes are fun,” and “because I enjoy gaining new knowledge,” to questions 6 and 7, respectively, were significantly fewer among second year students. [Conclusion] Increasing self-motivation among second year students at the Department of Physical Therapy, Vocational Technical School A is considered necessary.