Student motivation: An assessment of what motivates today's college students in the classroom

This qualitative study, using focus group methodology, assessed what motivates today's college students in the classroom. A review of the relevant literature led to four research questions: (1) What motivates today's college students in the classroom? (2) What is the scope of students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? (3) How does communication between students and faculty influence motivation? and (4) Are professors using the same motivators in today's classrooms (according to existing literature) that students report work best?; In regards to what motivates today's college students in the classroom (RQ1), the findings from this study revealed four categories: (1) the professor; (2) interest in the subject; (3) achieve a sense of accomplishment; and (4) grades.; When determining the scope of students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (RQ2), the findings from this study revealed two categories: (1) learning and (2) grades.; When inquiring how communication between students and faculty influence motivation (RQ3), the findings of this study revealed three categories: (1) students are motivated in a class where the professor encourages open communication among the students and with the professor; (2) students are greatly motivated to do well for a professor when they have consistent interpersonal communication and an interpersonal relationship with them; and (3) students are more motivated to do the work when the professor gives them good feedback.; The last question asked if professors are using the same motivators in today's classrooms that students report work best (RQ4). Based on the literature review, there were seven effective motivational strategies used by professors. The results of this study supported five of those seven. The results of the faculty focus group supported all seven of these motivational strategies and all of the motivational strategies that were discussed by the students.; The population for this study consisted of enrolled students (sophomores through seniors) from a small private Southern liberal arts college. Four focus groups were conducted with eight students in each. Also, one focus group was conducted with eight faculty. Matrix analysis was used to identify common reoccurring themes within the data from each research question.