When students enjoy their studies, not only does their motivation increase, but so does their performance. In the new research project ‘School Fun,’ the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi) is investigating which influences at school and at home promote enjoyment of learning and thus long-term academic success. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the project starts in April.
Pupils who enjoy learning perform better, develop a deeper interest and are significantly more willing to make an effort. They use more efficient learning strategies and are better able to regulate themselves. However, although this emotion is essential for educational success, research shows that it often However, although this emotion is essential for educational success, research shows that it often declines over the course of schooling.
A new perspective: Focus on the environment
Unlike many previous studies, the new project looks beyond the classroom. Project leader Dr Anna Hawrot focuses on so-called distal influencing factors: the role of parents, teachers and peers and how they contribute to the development and maintenance of enjoyment of learning.
Innovation through open science
To gain insights into the dynamic processes that take place between children, teachers and parents on the one hand and enjoyment of learning and educational success on the other, six existing, comprehensive longitudinal data sets from freely accessible sources are evaluated, including data from the NEPS Starting Cohort 2. This method makes it possible to gain deeper insights using statistical models than individual studies have been able to achieve so far.
Promoting academic success
By identifying the roles of parents, teachers and peers, the study aims to provide sound evidence on what specific measures can be taken to increase the joy of learning in a targeted manner. This will create a basis for promoting the long-term educational success of pupils.
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