Conditions of learning and academic motivation in vocational education - Results from a study with mercantile apprentices

The chances of developing academic motivation among students in vocational education are essentially determined by the conditions of learning in schoo ls. Appealing and motivating lessons ought to arouse interest in participat ion and active learning in a way that the students have sufficient motivati ng potentials. Furthermore, the students should consider the classes import ant with task variety, importance of the task, and autonomy. Motivation sho uld also increase when a continuous feedback of achievement shows the progr ess in learning. Classes designed in this way can appeal to school related motives of the students and therefore increase their willingness to partici pate. The results of the study are based on a sample of 220 mercantile appr entencies in two specific situations of learning in vocational schools. The y imply that motives to be successful can only be activated under stimulati ng conditions. Motivation for learning can thus be increased. Under less ap pealing conditions, however, the students seem to participate only in order to avoid failure.