TEACHERS' INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION AS PREDICTORS OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: AN APPLICATION OF SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY

Özet

This study examined teachers' work motivation that actively affects student behaviours based on Self-Determination Theory. Study group of this research consists of 289 teachers from 29 elementary schools in the province of Edirne, Turkey. Data for this study was collected via a survey of who completed self-reported measures the Teacher Motivation Questionnaire and Student Engagement. The model was specified and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were analysed using LISREL 8.3 with maximum likelihood estimation. The results of the study indicated that student engagement was predicted significantly by primary school teachers' intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. While teachers' extrinsic motivation has also a direct and positive influence on student engagement, their intrinsic motivation is the most important predictor of student engagement. Teachers' extrinsic motivation had also strong and significant positive effects on their intrinsic motivation.