Table 2 Matrix framework of learning approaches
From: Assessing students approaches to learning using a matrix framework in a Malaysian public university
Surface motive (SM) | Deep Motive (DM) | Achieving Motive (AM) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Surface Strategy (SS) | Surface Approach (SA) | Discouragement Approach (DCA) | Avoid Failure Approach (AFA) |
Not interested in the subject so he/she is not willing to spend time on it. | Interested in the subject but his/her interest is discouraged by the learning environment, such as an overcrowded timetable. | (Low need-achiever) Is afraid of failure. Likes tasks with high success rates to gain feelings of self efficacy. Therefore, he/she is interested in easy tasks. | |
Deep Strategy (DS) | Encouragement Approach (ECA) | Deep Approach (DA) | Achieve Success Approach (ASA) |
Not interested in the subject but a contribution is made because of a good learning environment. | Intrinsically interested in the subject so he/she is willing to spend extra time on reading related material. | (High need-achiever) Is very aggressive and has a strong mind to win. The more difficult the task, the greater the glory. Therefore, a competitive challenge is the only factor to motivate him/her. | |
Achieving Strategy (AS) | Fear of Failure Approach (FFA) | Hardworking Approach (HWA) | Achieving Approach (AA) |
Not intrinsically interested in the subject but fears getting a bad academic result and so he/she works hard. | Interested in the subject and is a hardworking student. | Has the characteristics of both the high need-achiever and the low need-achiever, but no matter which strategy is used, getting a high mark is the end purpose. |