Aiming for optimal learning - Or things don t always turn out as planned

Abstract

In a Clinical Psychology Program, a project aimed at improving education in communication and testing skills was conducted. In order to help the students develop these skills a portfolio was introduced. Although based on established pedagogical principles, the initial results were discouraging. No student reported using the portfolio. This at first somewhat puzzling result is discussed in light of theories of motivation and learning. It is argued that, in educational discourses, optimal learning is often contrasted with learning of lesser quality. But what if it would be contrasted with no learning at all? The suggestion put forth is that it may be advantageous to also use the concepts of extrinsic motivation and situational interest when improving higher education.