The Role of Motivation in Agricultural Leadership Programs

Learner engagement is critical in higher education. In the agricultural leadership discipline, using motivational strategies effectively can help keep students engaged and on track to meet learning objectives. Toward that end, I worked with a team to look at the role of motivation when teaching about agricultural leadership. Specifically, we looked at the relationship between intrinsic motivation and project satisfaction among students.

Key Findings from the Study:

Intrinsic Motivation and Team Satisfaction:

• High intrinsic motivation was observed among students with their selected projects.

• Reported satisfaction with project teams was somewhat lower and there was significant variability among students.

• Most notably, there was a strong correlation observed between intrinsic motivation and team satisfaction.

Impact of Demographic Variables:

• The study did not identify any significant differences in motivation or team satisfaction based on demographic characteristics.

• Regardless of demographics, intrinsic motivation was seen as a positive predictor of team satisfaction.

Recommendations for Enhancing Team Satisfaction:

• Project-based learning should be utilized in agricultural leadership education as a way to develop interpersonal and management skills.

• Highlighting intrinsic motivations can help minimize or eliminate some possible challenges of team projects, including social loafing and negative group behavior.

This study makes the role of intrinsic motivation clear in agricultural leadership education. Specifically, overall project satisfaction is improved when motivation levels are high. With this in mind, educators are encouraged to appeal to the intrinsic interests of students. If projects are meaningful to them, educational outcomes will be elevated and overall satisfaction will be higher. Please be sure to share your thoughts using the comments below. I've also included the full manuscript if you would like to learn more.

Investigating-the-Linkage-between-Intrinsic-Motivation-and-Project-Team-Satisfaction-in-Un.

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Lamm, K. W., Carter, H. S., & Melendez, M. W. (2014). Investigating the linkage between intrinsic motivation and project team satisfaction in undergraduate agricultural leadership students. Journal of Agricultural Education, 55(3), 103-115. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2014.03103