Factors that Make Pupils have High Motivation in Learning History: Pupils' Perspectives

Abstract

This study aims to explore the factors that make pupils have high motivation in learning History at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bonus. The objectives of this study are to explore the factors that contribute to high motivation in learning History among Year 5 pupils at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bonus and to identify the most dominant factor in intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among pupils in learning History. The participants of this study consisted of 5 pupils from year 6 primary students in Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bonus who have been selected using grades which are 3 best pupils, 1 average and 1 below average pupil in learning History. This research instrument is an adapted semi-structured question to collect narrative data which has been validated by content experts and has good reliability value. Data collected was analysed using a thematic approach. This research has applied the Gardner (2005) Motivation Theory in observing the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to high motivation of pupils in learning History. The findings show that extrinsic factors influenced students' high motivation and interest more towards learning History. Extrinsic factors are external to the student and can include rewards, praise, recognition, which can motivate students to learn History. This study has helped identify several important factors, namely personal attitude, teacher influence, friends influence and parental influence which are among the factors that can contribute to pupils’ high motivation in learning History. Factor which is teachers’ assistance has predominantly become the main factors in learning History. Despite the weak relationship, these findings support teachers' attention to the factors that contribute to students’ high motivation in an effort to improve student performance in learning. This study found that extrinsic factors play a significant role in motivating students to learn History. Further research can investigate the specific types of extrinsic factors that are most effective in motivating students to learn History.