Development of the learning motivation scale on subject instruction for teachers and examination of its features

Abstract

The purposes of the present study were to develop the Learning Motivation Scale on Subject Instruction for Teachers, and to confirm the reliability and validity of the Scale. In Study 1, teachers (N = 202) completed a questionnaire developed on the basis of a preliminary investigation. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the Learning Motivation Scale on Subject Instruction for Teachers consisted of the following 6 factors in 29 items: "intrinsic motivation," "sense of duty," "orientation toward children," "indifference," "orientation to approval and comparison," and "skill orientation." In Study 2, teachers (n = 243) and student teachers (n = 362) completed the Scale. When features of their reported experiences were compared, the results suggested that the student teachers scored higher on "orientation to approval and comparison" than the established teachers did. In Study 3, teachers (N = 157) completed questionnaires. When the relation between the teachers' motivation and their work engagement was examined, the results suggested that "intrinsic motivation," "orientation toward children," and "orientation to approval and comparison" may have a positive effect on work engagement.