scholarly journals University Instructors’ Implicit Theories of Intelligence, Achievement Goals for Teaching, and Teaching Quality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Loderer ◽  
Markus Dresel ◽  
Oliver Dickhäuser ◽  
Martin Daumiller
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Implicit Theories ◽  
Instructional Quality ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
University Instructors ◽  
Work Avoidance ◽  
Avoidance Goals

University instructors’ goals for teaching are important for teaching quality. However, studies examining factors that shape instructors’ goal adoption are lacking. Using data from 785 instructors, we investigated whether implicit theories (ITs) about the malleability of intelligence constitute one such factor. Following achievement goal theory and Dweck’s (1999) achievement motivation framework, we analyzed whether differences in teaching goals are attributable to differences in ITs, and whether goals mediate the relation between ITs and instructional quality. Structural equation modeling yielded the expected relations between goals and instructional quality (positive for mastery and performance approach goals; negative for performance avoidance and work avoidance goals). As hypothesized, stronger endorsement of incremental ITs was positively related to mastery, and negatively to work avoidance goals. However, ITs were unrelated to performance goals. Indirect effects of ITs on teaching quality via goals were significant but rather weak. Implications for research and fostering teaching motivation are discussed.

scholarly journals Structure and Relationships of University Instructors’ Achievement Goals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Daumiller ◽  
Robert Grassinger ◽  
Oliver Dickhäuser ◽  
Markus Dresel
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
University Instructors ◽  
Work Avoidance ◽  
Measuring Achievement ◽  
Avoidance Goals

The present study examines the achievement goals of university instructors, particularly the structure of such goals, and their relationship to biographic characteristics, other aspects of instructors’ motivation, and teaching quality. Two hundred and fifty-one university instructors (184 without Ph.D., 97 with Ph.D., thereof 51 full professors; 146 males, 92 females) answered a questionnaire measuring achievement goals, self-efficacy, and enthusiasm in altogether 392 courses. Teaching quality was assessed using reports from 9,241 students who were attending these courses. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed mastery, performance approach, performance avoidance, work avoidance, and relational goals as being distinguishable from each other. Distinct relationships were found between different instructors’ achievement goals, and gender, age, and career status as well as self-efficacy and enthusiasm. Hierarchical linear models suggested positive associations of instructors’ mastery goals with teaching quality, while negative associations were indicated for performance avoidance goals and work avoidance goals in relation to teaching quality. Exploratory analyses conducted due to a quite large correlation between performance approach and performance avoidance goals indicated that for university instructors, differentiating performance goals into appearance and normative components might also be adequate. All in all, the study highlights the auspiciousness of the theoretical concept of university instructors’ achievement goals and contributes to making it comprehensively accessible.

scholarly journals University Instructors’ Achievement Goals for Teaching

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Daumiller ◽  
Oliver Dickhäuser ◽  
Markus Dresel
Keyword(s):  
Positive Affect ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Performance Goals ◽  
Goal Structure ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
University Instructors ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Avoidance Goals

Achievement goals of university instructors for teaching were examined. We investigated the structure of these goals, the stability of this structure across different groups of instructors, and the relations of these goals to teaching-related outcomes. Achievement goals, positive affect, attitudes toward help, and self-reported teaching quality were assessed in a sample of 1,066 German university instructors from three different status groups (221 full professors, 370 postdoc staff members, 427 staff members without a PhD). The results confirmed that the well-established mastery, performance approach, and performance avoidance goals are likewise valid for university instructors, and that an appearance and a normative component of performance goals can be distinguished. Learning avoidance goals could be distinguished from learning approach goals and task goals could be separated from learning and performance goals. Also, work avoidance and relational goals were distinct from all previous goals. A model representing all differentiations adequately fitted the data. The goal structure was found to be completely invariant across different status groups of instructors—however, groups differed by mean levels of goals. Structural equation modeling pointed to the relevance of the goals: Theoretically sensible relationships with positive affect, attitudes toward help, and teaching quality affirmed the predictive validity of each goal class. Again, these relations were identical for all groups of instructors, highlighting the importance of the addressed goals independent of instructor status. Taken together, this sheds light on the structure of university instructors’ achievement goals, and emphasizes the importance of this concept for analyzing instruction and learning in higher education.

scholarly journals Higher Education Instructors’ Usage of and Learning from Student Evaluations of Teaching – Do Achievement Goals Matter?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Hein ◽  
Stefan Janke ◽  
Raven Rinas ◽  
Martin Daumiller ◽  
Markus Dresel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Work Avoidance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Avoidance Goals

Identifying what motivates higher education instructors in their self-regulated learning from stu-dent evaluations of teaching (SET) is important for improving future teaching. In a longitudinal online field study, we investigated how higher education instructors’ achievement goals predict the use of SET(s), processing its results and learning from it. We expected beneficial effects of learning (approach and avoidance) goals and performance approach goals, while performance avoidance goals and work avoidance goals should be detrimental for the learning process. In to-tal, 407 higher education instructors with teaching commitments reported their achievement goals. Out of these participants, 152 instructors voluntarily conducted SET(s) and subsequently reported their learning intentions regarding this student feedback. Using structural equation modelling, we found that learning avoidance goals were positively associated with conducting SET(s) and learning approach goals were positively associated with learning intentions. These findings highlight the importance of learning goals for instructors’ use of SET(s).

scholarly journals Higher Education Instructors’ Usage of and Learning From Student Evaluations of Teaching – Do Achievement Goals Matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Hein ◽  
Stefan Janke ◽  
Raven Rinas ◽  
Martin Daumiller ◽  
Markus Dresel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Student Evaluations ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Student Evaluations Of Teaching ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Regulated Learning ◽  
Avoidance Goals

Identifying what motivates and hinders higher education instructors in their self-regulated learning from student evaluations of teaching (SETs) is important for improving future teaching and facilitating student learning. According to models of self-regulated learning, we propose a model for the usage of SETs as a learning situation. In a longitudinal study, we investigate the associations between achievement goals and the usage of and learning from SETs in the context of higher education. In total, 407 higher education instructors (46.4% female; 38.60 years on average) with teaching commitments in Germany or Austria reported their achievement goals in an online survey. Out of these participants, 152 instructors voluntarily conducted SET(s) and subsequently reported their intentions to act on the feedback and improve future teaching in a short survey. Using structural equation modeling, we found, in line with our hypotheses, that learning avoidance, appearance approach, and appearance avoidance goals predicted whether instructors voluntarily conducted SET(s). As expected, learning approach and (avoidance) goals were positively associated with intentions to act on received SET-results and improve future teaching. These findings support our hypotheses, are in line with assumptions of self-regulated learning models, and highlight the importance of achievement goals for instructors’ voluntary usage of and intended learning from SET(s). To facilitate instructors’ learning from SET-results, our study constitutes a first step for future intervention studies to build on. Future researchers and practitioners might support instructors’ professional learning by encouraging them to reflect on their SET-results.

scholarly journals When Teammates Are Viewed as Rivals: A Cross-National Investigation of Achievement Goals and Intrateam Moral Behavior

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian D. Boardley ◽  
Ben Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Effective Interaction ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Performance Achievement ◽  
Team Functioning ◽  
Mastery Avoidance ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Avoidance Goals

This research aimed to (a) determine whether mastery and intrateam performance achievement goals predicted prosocial and antisocial teammate behavior, (b) explore whether effects of intrateam performance goals were mediated by moral disengagement, and (c) examine whether any effects (Study 2 only) were moderated by cohesion. In Study 1, team athletes (N = 282) from Australia completed questionnaires assessing the aforementioned variables. Structural equation modeling indicated that prosocial teammate behavior was positively predicted by mastery-approach goals, and negatively predicted by mastery- and intrateam performance-avoidance goals, whereas antisocial teammate behavior was positively predicted by intrateam performance-approach and -avoidance goals; these latter effects were mediated by moral disengagement. In Study 2, team athletes (N = 452) from the United Kingdom completed a measure of cohesion in addition to the Study 1 instruments; the analyses largely confirmed the Study 1 findings. However, the undesirable effect of mastery-avoidance goals on prosocial behavior seen in Study 1 was only apparent in Study 2 when individuals held strong perceptions of team cohesion. In sum, this investigation makes a novel contribution to the literature on team functioning in sport, being the first to explore how athletes’ normative goals relative to their teammates might shape effective interaction processes.

scholarly journals Shifting from Face-to-Face to Online Teaching During COVID-19: The Role of University Faculty Achievement Goals for Attitudes Towards This Sudden Change, and Their Relevance for Burnout/Engagement and Student Evaluations of Teaching Quality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Daumiller ◽  
Raven Rinas ◽  
Julia Hein ◽  
Stefan Janke ◽  
Oliver Dickhäuser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Work Avoidance ◽  
Avoidance Goals

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many higher education faculty members were required to abruptly shift from face-to-face to online teaching. Within this, some instructors managed well, while others struggled. To elucidate interindividual differences in online teaching and learn-ing during this unexpected circumstance, we focus on faculty members’ attitudes towards this shift and examine their associations with underlying motivations as well as burnout/engagement and student learning. We analyzed longitudinal data of 80 faculty members’ achievement goals during the semester prior to shifting to online teaching, and their attitudes and burn-out/engagement during the first semester with enforced online teaching. Additionally, we used 703 student ratings of these faculty members’ teaching quality in terms of student learning. Re-sults indicated that learning approach goals of faculty were positively associated with perceiving the shift to online teaching as a positive challenge and as useful for their own competence de-velopment. Conversely, performance (appearance) avoidance goals and work avoidance goals went along with perceiving this change as threatening, which, in turn, was related to increased burnout levels and students reporting their learning to be worse. Taken together, these findings point to the relevance of faculty goals and attitudes for successful online teaching and learning.

scholarly journals Setting Lower Limits High: The Role of Boundary Goals in Achievement Motivation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine S. Corker ◽  
Brent Donnellan
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Lower Boundary ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Mastery Avoidance ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Avoidance Goals ◽  
Lower Limits ◽  
Mastery Approach

Boundary goals specify the minimum performance level that an individual must attain to subjectively experience success. The current research integrates boundary goals into the hierarchical model of achievement motivation (A. Elliot, 2006) by positing that boundary goals are a sub-goal in the goal hierarchy. We predicted that performance approach goals would be associated with higher boundary goals, whereas performance avoidance goals would be associated with lower boundary goals. We further predicted that boundary goals would mediate the association between achievement goals and performance, independent of other target goals (i.e., levels of aspiration). We also evaluated whether boundary goals served a similar role in explaining associations between mastery goals and performance. We tested these predictions by tracking the performance of 347 college students across the semester. As predicted, performance approach goals were positively associated with boundary goals (beta = .32) whereas performance avoidance goals were negatively associated with boundary goals (beta = -.11). Further, we found that mastery approach goals had positive associations with boundary goals (beta = .29) whereas the opposite pattern occurred for mastery avoidance goals (beta = -.25). Boundary goals were positively linked to exam scores (beta = .32) and mediated the associations between performance approach, mastery approach, and mastery avoidance goals and grades. These statistical effects were independent of the effects of level of aspiration. In short, boundary goals seem to play an important role in the achievement motivation process and may therefore serve as a potentially useful focus for interventions.

scholarly journals Peer Assessments of research Advisors and effects on investments in teaching

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Eyal Eckhaus ◽  
Nitza Davidovitch
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Faculty Performance ◽  
Teaching Excellence ◽  
Require Time ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Performance As Research ◽  
Teaching Perceptions

In recent years, research on faculty performance measures has increased. Although peer reviews are an integral part of faculty’s work and require time investment, they are typically not considered in measuring faculty performance. The aim of this research was to investigate associations between evaluations of peers’ performance as research advisors, and teaching perceptions.  We employed Exploratory Factor Analysis, followed by Structural Equation Modeling, to test our model’s goodness-of-fit. Results show that the stronger the satisfaction from assessing peers’ performance as advisors, the greater the perceived significance of teaching. Excellence in teaching also effects teaching perceptions. Furthermore, female faculty members gained more satisfaction from assessing peers than did males. It has been argued that there is no association between teaching and assessing peers’ performance as research advisors. The findings of this study address the literature gap regarding the link between teaching quality and research, by employing the Projection theory. 

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