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Academic achievement and intrinsic motivation in higher education students: an analysis of the impact of using concept maps

Susana Cristina Costa Pestana (Departamento de Saúde, Instituto Politecnico de Beja, Beja, Portugal) (Centro de Investigação em Educação, ISPA, Lisboa, Portugal)
Francisco Peixoto (Education Department, ISPA, Lisboa, Portugal)
Patrícia Rosado Pinto (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal)

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education

ISSN: 2050-7003

Article publication date: 8 June 2022

Issue publication date: 7 April 2023

265

Abstract

Purpose

The study investigates meaningful learning among higher education students using concept maps (CM) as a learning strategy. The main goals were to understand whether the introduction of CM produced changes in students' academic achievement and intrinsic motivation (IM).

Design/methodology/approach

In this quasi-experimental study, academic achievement was collected using achievement tests made in-class, IM through a self-reported questionnaire and the usefulness of CM using an interview. The research sample consisted of 60 undergraduate students enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate occupational therapy (OT) program of a Portuguese polytechnic institute in two different consecutive academic years. Students were assigned to 2 groups (experimental group (EG) – 23 and control group – 37). CM were introduced in the pedagogical process of the EG.

Findings

CM produced better academic achievement in the EG. Nevertheless, groups presented a decrease in the levels of IM over time.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of CM as a learning strategy to improve students' learning and academic achievement.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to investigate the double impact of CM on academic achievement and IM in higher education students.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the students who participated in this study as well the teacher who supported this study through evaluation of the tests.

Citation

Pestana, S.C.C., Peixoto, F. and Rosado Pinto, P. (2023), "Academic achievement and intrinsic motivation in higher education students: an analysis of the impact of using concept maps", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 663-680. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-09-2021-0352

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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