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Learning Theory and Concepts

Purpose-Guided Education

Motivation and Affective Theories

Purpose-guided education is an approach that prioritizes students' intrinsic motivation, aiming to deepen their engagement in learning by connecting their personal beliefs and life goals to the requirements of the curriculum. It was first introduced in 1997 by Jerry Pattengale at Indiana Wesleyan University, as an alternative to relying mainly on student-satisfaction metrics and external motivators, instead helping learners find personal meaning in what they study; at the institution where it was introduced, graduation rates rose by more than twenty percent over the following decade. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Core Claim
Purpose-guided education prioritizes intrinsic motivation and helps students become more engaged in learning experiences through connecting their beliefs and life goals to curricular requirements. 1
Origin Year
1997 1
FAQs

What did Jerry Pattengale find when he surveyed colleges about how they approach student success?

Over 90 percent of the 400-plus institutions surveyed relied on satisfaction and external issues, not intrinsic motivation.

According to the account of the approach, Pattengale surveyed over 400 institutions and found that over 90 percent of them based their student success approach on student satisfaction surveys and external issues instead of intrinsic motivation. This finding is part of what led him to question the prevailing approach and to promote purpose-guided education.
Sources
1. Purpose-guided education (Wikipedia)
  • Opening paragraph, third sentence
    began its usage at Indiana Wesleyan University in 1997
  • Opening paragraph, first sentence
    Purpose-guided education prioritizes intrinsic motivation and helps students become more engaged in learning experiences through connecting their beliefs and life goals to curricular requirements.
  • In Group: Motivation and Goal Theories, Lead
    Purpose-guided education prioritizes intrinsic motivation and helps students become more engaged in learning experiences through connecting their beliefs and life goals to curricular requirements.
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