The Relationship Between Students' Motivation and Perceptions of the Learning Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify if there was a significant relationship between dental hygiene students’ perceptions of the learning environment and their motivational orientation. The study was also designed to determine if there was a significant difference in satisfaction with the learning environment between first-year, second-year, and third-year students. The aim of the study was to be able to provide recommendations to dental hygiene educators at a small university in regard to creating a positive learning environment for students. The methodology of the study contained distributing an online survey to 84 dental hygiene students at a small university.| The results, utilizing Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, indicated a significant positive relationship between the autonomy orientation (intrinsic motivation) and satisfaction with the learning environment (p = .03, r = .307). The two other motivation orientations did not produce significant relationships with the satisfaction with the learning environment. The satisfaction with the learning environment between the levels of education (first-year, second-year, and third-year students) was tested using one-tailed t-tests. There were not any significant differences between educational levels and satisfaction with the learning environment.|Although there were limitations, such as a small sample size and a specific population, this research provided support for further, more generalized research. Recommendations include development and implementation of a faculty training program to support autonomy, competence, and relatedness.|Keywords: Student satisfaction, learning environment, motivational orientation, Self-Determination Theory