Motivation and Learning Strategies of High School and University Students

This research paper includes the survey questionnaire that consists of 18 categories. Out of 18 categories, six are related to motivation and nine are related to learning strategies. To investigate and compare the motivation and learning strategies implemented by first-year engineering students and high school students, a study was conducted using the motivation strategy and learning questionnaire (MSLQ). The sample includes seventy-five senior high school students who were dually enrolled in university courses similar to those being taken by university students, and fifty-five first year university students with the same levels participated in the survey. Both groups have the same instructor for offered courses and one of these courses were offered at the offsite location and the other one was at the university main campus. An independent sample t-test was performed showing a significant difference between dual enrolled high school and university students with high abilities in the categories of motivation and learning strategies. In addition, gender comparison also showed a significant difference in some areas. Results of this study may be useful for the development of strategies to improve the level of motivation among first-year engineering students. The results can also be used to develop an initiative that may help students become better learners.