Research Initiation Grant: Exploring the Disconnect between Self Determination Theory and the Engineering Classroom Environment

本研究旨在探讨自我决定理论（SDT）在本科工程教育中的有效性。它假设SDT中概述的原则与实际课堂环境之间存在脱节，从而对学生学习所需的内在动机造成障碍。因此，主要目标将是(i)评估教师对SDT的了解；（ii）制定一个测量框架，以评估与SDT有关的课堂环境；（iii）确定教师对SDT知识、学生动机、学习环境和学生学习之间的关系。研究设计和测量框架是通过工程、心理学和教育研究人员之间的有意义的合作而开发的。这利用了当前社会认知心理学领域所采用的标准和技术。通过本项目所回答的研究问题对制定工程教育改革策略具有重要价值，也可以作为其他STEM学科的未来模式。该项目的更广泛目标是否支持NSF？美国的战略目标是通过培养具有新能力和专业知识的更好的工程劳动力来改变前沿。此外，NSF的社会创新目标是通过产生可能对教育政策和实践有用的基于研究的结果来实现的。

The proposed work is an empirical investigation to explore the effectiveness of the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the context of undergraduate engineering education. It ishypothesized that there is a disconnect between the principles outlined in SDT and the actualclassroom environment, thus creating a barrier to intrinsic motivation needed for student learning.Accordingly, the primary objectives will be to (i) assess the Faculty knowledge of SDT; (ii) developa measurement framework to assess the classroom environment as it relates to SDT; and (iii)determine the association among Faculty knowledge of SDT, student motivation, learningenvironment, and student learning.The research design and measurement framework are developed through a meaningful collaborationbetween the researchers from Engineering, Psychology, and Education. This takes advantage ofcurrent standards and techniques employed in the field of Social-Cognitive Psychology. Theresearch questions answered through this project are valuable in developing reform strategies forengineering education, and can also serve as a future model for other STEM disciplines. Thebroader objectives of the project support the NSF?s strategic goals of transforming the frontiers bypreparing a better engineering workforce with new capabilities and expertise. Also the NSF goal ofinnovating for society is achieved by producing research-based results that may be useful ininforming educational policy and practices.