Innovation in Language Learning
Increased motivation in language learners through social networks
Elham Akbari, Utrecht University (The Netherlands)
Ahmad Naderi, Tehran University (Iran, Islamic Republic of)
Zeinab Abdollahi Aliabadi, phd student (Iran, Islamic Republic of)
Robert-Jan Simons, Professor (The Netherlands)
Albert Pilot, Professor (The Netherlands)
Abstract
Self-determination theory is a general theory of human motivation and personality, emphasizing the dialectical relationships between growth-oriented human beings and social contexts that facilitate or impede people’s motivation to actualize their potentials. the three main factors that consist this theory are autonomy, competence, and relatedness improving self-determination in the classroom. According to the SDT, a sense of curiosity, interest, and inclination to change the environment or to influence it through developing relatedness, autonomy and competence are what an appropriate learning environment should be capable to fullfil.
Moreover, you know one of the most important functions of social networks is their function of relatedness.
The present study aims at a comparative analysis of the two Facebook and face to face groups with regard to the relatedness variable of Self-determination theory and the influence of this variable on motivation.
The results indicated that relatedness variable was capable of predicting motivation. Moreover, the results showed that there is a significant difference between the two groups in terms of relatedness and motivation. relatedness and motivation means improved more in the group using social networks than in the face to face group.
