Student Intrinsic Motivation in Online Learning Based on Cognitive Evaluation Theory: A Case Study of English for Airline Business at Uttaradit Rajabhat University

Abstract

This qualitative case study aimed to investigate students’ intrinsic motivation obtained from an online learning environment using Cognitive Evaluation Theory. The key participants in this study were 10 students who enrolled in the ‘English for Airline Business’ in the first semester of 2021 academic year at Uttaradit Rajabhat University. This group of participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The research instrument consisted of semi-structured interviews, and a thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The results revealed that two factors, namely: social and environmental conditions affected the students’ perception of competence and autonomy. For the participants’ perception of competence, social factors such as self-motivation, course’s instructor and peers were the key determinants; whereas environmental factors related to conditions pertaining to online learning and online tools, the learning environment, as well as the Internet connection, class interactions and learning activities. For the students’ perception of autonomy however, the social factors included surrounding people & family members, self-motivation, course’s instructor, and peers; whereas environmental factors pertained to online learning tools, elements that were distracting while learning, and the spread of COVID-19.