Motivation: the most Ignored Factor in Classroom Instruction in Kenyan Secondary Schools

Abstract

Motivation is one of the most important forces that guide students ’ actions. It involves a direction, a goal or an objective and the arousal of one or more drives. A teacher needs to consider motivational strategies that can be used to enhance learners ’ motivation and increase their active participation in learning. Research and experience indicates that students who are intrinsically motivated will work hard and learn more because of their personal interest in the materials. The use of educational media and technology is one that is considered to provide motivation to learners during teaching –learning situation. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the use of computers as an instructional tool motivates students to learn effectively in secondary schools. The study used a descriptive survey design conducted in 25 secondary schools in Nyanza province that had computers at the time of the research. Participants included 25 principals, 140 heads of departments and 20 computer teachers. The secondary schools were drawn from rural, urban, and suburban areas in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaire for the Principals and Heads of Departments, while Semi-structured interview schedule was used for the teachers. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics that combined qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection involved the use of questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The overall findings confirmed that the majority of the participants agreed that the use of computers increased their students ’ motivation to learn different subjects effectively. The study therefore recommended that public secondary schools should be assisted to purchase enough computers for teaching and learning.