Intrinsic Motivation and Instruction: Conflicting Views on the Role of Motivational Processes in Computer-Based Education

Microcomputers offer unique opportunities for systematic variations in the presentation of educational materials and for research concerning the social, motivational, and academic consequences of these different variations. This paper explores one set of theoretical controversies and policy debates that has been stimulated by this new technology for instruction. It is argued that conflicting views concerning the role of intrinsic motivational processes in instruction underlie differences of opinion concerning the relative costs and benefits of instructional games and discovery-learning environments, the expected impact of different styles of teaching, and the merits of alternative strategies for the design of detailed tutorial interactions.