Teachers’ motivation for teaching in higher education: portuguese validation of a questionnaire

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3104

Keywords:

Intrinsic motivation, Teachers, Higher education

Abstract

Motivation for teaching is key in the establishment and further development of high-quality higher education, as it affects teachers’ investment in quality learning experiences for their students, as well as institutional efficacy and well-being. This study aimed to validate a questionnaire, originally developed in Belgium, designed to evaluate three dimensions (self-efficacy, interest, and effort) of intrinsic motivation for teaching for a different national population. The sample consisted of 616 academics working in public higher education institutions in Portugal. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and internal consistency of items analyzed. The results show that the original dimensionality of the construct is confirmed in the Portuguese teachers’ sample. Motivation for teaching in the Portuguese context is primarily explained by the following factors: personal efficacy, interest in the task, and effort placed on teaching responsibilities. A difference was found in that personal efficacy could not be divided in context and general personal efficacy.

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Author Biographies

  • Leandro Silva Almeida, Universidade do Minho

    Professor of Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal.

  • Maria Alfredo Moreira, Universidade do Minho

    Professor of Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal.

  • Suzana Nunes Caldeira, Universidade dos Açores

    Professor of Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.

  • Sara Medeiros Soares, Universidade dos Açores

    Volunteer Researcher of Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.

  • Natascha van Hattum-Janssen, Saxion University

    PhD, is a Quality Assurance Officer of the Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Enschede, Netherlands.

  • Gerda J. Visser-Wijnveen, Anton de Kom University of Suriname

    PhD, is the Quality Assurance Manager of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname.

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indawi Publishing Corporation

Education Research International

Volume 2012, Article ID 265293, 6 pages

doi:10.1155/2012/265293

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Education Research International

Volume 2012, Article ID 265293, 6 pages

doi:10.1155/2012/265293

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Published

2021-12-31

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Section

School and Educational Psychology

How to Cite

Almeida, L. S., Moreira, M. A., Caldeira, S. N., Soares, S. M., Hattum-Janssen, N. van, & Visser-Wijnveen, G. J. (2021). Teachers’ motivation for teaching in higher education: portuguese validation of a questionnaire. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 31, e3104. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3104