Transformative Experience as a Facilitator of Interest Development and Transfer in a College Success Course for At-Risk Students

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session 2

Abstract

Researchers have examined the utility of the Teaching for Transformative Experience in Science (TTES) model to facilitate out-of-school engagement in college students learning about educational psychology (Authors, 2013). The present study sought to extend the previous findings to explore the effectiveness of TTES for facilitating transfer to out-of-school settings as well as other classes. Additionally, we sought to examine the influence of TTES on interest development. Specifically, we implemented TTES in two college success classes with 124 students at a large southwestern university. The results showed that TTES facilitated significantly more transformative experience, achievement, transfer to other classes, and topic interest in educational psychology concepts than traditional instruction. We discuss implications of these findings for theory, instruction, and instructor preparation.

Authors

• Benjamin C. Heddy, University of Oklahoma

• Ananya Mukhopadhyay, University of Southern California

• Gale M. Sinatra, University of Southern California

• Helena Seli, University of Southern California