MOTIVATION OF STUDENTS’ LEARNING ACTIVITIES AS A LEADING FACTOR IN THE TRAINING OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS

Abstract

Creating an effective system of training qualified specialists is relevant at the present stage of higher education. The motivation of students’ learning activities plays a significant role in solving this problem.
The main purpose of the article is to conduct a theoretical analysis of scientific publications on this issue and study the learning motivation of fourth-year students of the educational and professional program “Practical Psychology” using the following methods, namely: “Study on the motives of students’ learning activities” (A.O. Rean, V. O. Yakunin), “Methodology for diagnostics of students’ learning motivation” (A.O. Rean, V.O. Yakunin in the modification of N.Ts. Badmaieva), “Motivation for studying in a higher educational institution” (T.I. Ilyina).
As a result of the presented research on the methodology for studying the motives of students’ learning activities by A.O. Rean and V.O. Yakunin techniques, it was clarified that the following motives turned out to be dominant for students: getting a degree (diploma), educational and cognitive (acquiring deep and sustainable knowledge, obtaining intellectual pleasure) and professional (the desire to become a highly qualified specialist, ensuring the success of future professional activities). Thus, the majority of students emphasized the importance of obtaining their degree (diploma), that is, the dominance of the formal external sign of educational activities. In the authors’ opinion, the choice of such a motive cannot provide the students with motivation and activity in the learning process.
According to the method “Diagnostics of students’ learning motivation” (in the modification of N.Ts. Badmaieva) proposed by A.O. Rean and V.O. Yakunin, the significant motives for students appeared to be: communicative, professional, social, learning, cognitive and the possibility of creative self-realization. It is not surprising that students-future practical psychologists define communicative motives as the most essential owing to their connection with the peculiarities of the professional activities of the practical psychologist.
The choice of professional motives indicates that students strive to become qualified specialists, knowing the significance of the chosen profession and considering it as a way of realizing themselves as individuals.
The study conducted with the use of T. I. Ilyina and A.O. Rean method determined the following results: the dominant motives for students are considered acquiring knowledge and getting a degree.
Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded: the learning motivation is a set of motives encouraging students to study and affecting their activity in the training process. The effectiveness of students’ learning activities, as well as their ability to master professional competencies, depend on the motivation structure and leading motives. Motivation is not constant, and this should be taken into account for understanding the hierarchy of motives of students’ learning activities and the possibility of influencing on them.
The authors consider that learning and professional motives are decisive for the vocational training of future practical psychologists since they provide conscious and active involvement of students in the learning process, as well as the need for knowledge acquisition and professional development.