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Selangor Science &Technology Review
Special Issue: Science and Technology for Society
Vol 5 No 5 (2021)
The Role of EdTech in Enhancing Learners' Motivation
Niaz Makhdum Muhammad1*, Mitch Schneider2
1 PhD Candidate, IIUM
niaz.m@live.iium.edu.my
2 PhD Candidate, Chicago School of Professional Psychology
mitch@immitch.com
Abstract: Today, technology is influencing the education sector all around the world in extraordinary
manners. Technology can help students in increasing their engagement and allow them to learn and retain more
information. At the same time, educational technology (EdTech) can also work as the main force to enhance the
motivation of students to perform better. The factors related to EdTech, like user-friendliness, psychological
satisfaction, and curiosity of users for new learning tools, contribute efficiently to enhancing the motivation of
students in the long run. This study investigates the positive role of EdTech on student learning and explores the
ways technology can be used to enhance the motivation of learners. Useful recommendations have been offered
that will help future researchers and EdTech developers to work on tools and applications that will play
important roles in enhancing the learners' motivation. In addition, it will analyse how enhanced motivation will
have positive impacts to ensure the success of learners in their academic and professional life in future. In the
posts COVID-19 pandemic situation, technology will play a more important role to increase the motivation level
of the students so that they can excel in their life.
Keywords: Education Technology, Innovation, Motivation, Technology.
1. Introduction
Digital technology has been functioning as a catalyst for learners' engagement and
change in 21st-century education (Muhammad et al., 2019). Together with the recent
advancements in ICT, different kinds of laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other digital
devices are being used extensively as learning tools by students. They use these gadgets for
different purposes, like accessing course materials, submitting class assignments, reading
articles related to coursework, communicating with the instructor and other students, and
more. The educators are also offering various types of deeper learning opportunities in
classrooms equipped with the latest technology, which can enhance the creativity and
engagement of the students with the added benefits of making them passionate and
enthusiastic in their learning process (Bester, 2013). In these ways, Education Technology
(EdTech) has positively changed the entire teaching and learning system.
2. Methods
The researcher conducted a comprehensive literature review of several research
papers published in reputed journals and conference proceedings in the last ten years that
emphasised the issues related to EdTech and motivation. All of the research papers selected
for this review article are peer-reviewed. The researcher summarised the results accordingly
after carefully analysing the findings. In order to find relevant articles, different search terms
were used, like motivation and EdTech, Education Technology, Technology, Motivation, and
Motivation for Students. Research databases like Google Scholar and Mendeley were used
for finding the relevant articles.
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3. Results and Discussion
3.1 A Brief Overview of Motivation and EdTech
According to Shaheen et al. (2013), a combination of forces that arouses, continues,
and directs a particular type of behaviour is often called motivation. It is an indispensable
factor that inspires individuals to give their best performance and assists in achieving their
goals (Vincent & Kumar, 2019). Specifically for learners, motivation is a persuasive feeling
that always offers positivism to them to accomplish an activity or a task to the end and
become successful no matter how tough and complicated it is (Gopalan et al., 2017).
As mentioned by Ross et al. (2010), Educational technology (EdTech) is related to the
use of technology in the process of analysing, developing, designing, implementing,
evaluating the instructional environment and learning materials in order to improve the
process of teaching and learning. The devices or applications related to EdTech include the
computer, various software applications, artificial intelligence, camcorders, LCD projectors,
digital cameras, scanners, the internet, satellite, interactive TV, audio/video conferencing, and
so on (Kurt, 2015). EdTech can help affirm and advance the relationships between educators
and learners, introduce new approaches to learning and collaboration, and assist in meeting
the demands of all the students.
3.2 How Technology Can Enhance Learners' Motivation
Technology yield positive results consistently regarding students' motivation,
attention, persistence, and attitude toward learning. As argued by Shin (2012), when students
work on challenging tasks using technology, their motivation to compete against and improve
their own previous scores increases. Different types of computer games provide various
options that students can choose based on their individual requirements. This can promote
positive attitudes toward motivation and learning. For instance, as argued by King and South
(2016), games like the 'Social Express' have been found as effective in enhancing self-
awareness, self-motivation, cooperation and problem-solving abilities.
Again, students exposed to technology have considerably greater attention and
motivation than those not exposed to technology (Bester et al., 2013). By implementing
technology, a more interactive learning environment can be created, enabling learners to use
multi-modalities (Bester et al., 2013). This improves their concentration and motivation for
performing better. Moreover, where teachers become successful in capturing the learners'
attention using technology, an optimal learning situation is created. The students also become
more motivated to focus on the learning tasks, which increases the prospect of higher
achievement (Bester et al., 2013).
Besides, as highlighted by Gustad (2014), when simulating activities are connected
with reading texts, students are more engaged. Teachers always prioritize high level of
engagement, and technology can substantially help them achieve this (Gustad, 2014). In
addition, technology lets students collaborate easily with each other and gain a deeper
understanding of topics that interest them. Moreover, submitting assignments as podcasts or
videos, blogs, and different kinds of infographics can work as the motivating factors for them
and enhance their engagement (Gustad, 2014). The results of a survey involving 95 students
of an urban charter school revealed that 77% of them feel motivated through the specific use
of technology in the classroom (Francis, 2017).
Educational Technology is also implemented in Problem Based Learning (PBL)
system. In fact, technology and PBL fit together seamlessly. Learners are positively
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Vol 5 No 5 (2021)
motivated through PBL as they face real-world scenarios. They also get the opportunity to
become better prepared for the dynamic world in which they live by using technology as a
tool. It also helps them solve real-life problems (Yardimci et al., 2017).
Furthermore, as opined by Oudeyer et al. (2016), different education apps on
smartphones, tablets, and computers are helpful for children as these improve their
engagement in learning. Though, care should be given to prevent using education technology
as a babysitter to capture the attention of children for the purpose of passing the time. Hence,
to ensure that effective learning is generated, it is necessary to consider each learner's
situation and adapt their capabilities to the use of technology (Yanguas, 2020). The parents
also appreciate these approaches, as they can save their time and effort to teach their beloved
kids with higher efficiency (Yanguas, 2020). For example, an educational app called Todayit
lets learners keep track of their studies. Also, as argued by Pilcher (2018), this app provides a
series of analytics and useful feedback. Hence, students can plan their studies better and keep
themselves motivated to achieve their goals. Other game-based apps, such as VocabTrainer,
can motivate learners and meet their language learning requirements by combining
collaborative and individual learning tasks seamlessly (Berns et al., 2016).
It has also been found that when any technology becomes more user-friendly than the
conventional method, like by saving time or reducing cognitive stress, it enhances the
students’ motivation (Chan et al., 2016). As contended by Chan et al. (2016), PATH (a
computer program) leads to the highest intrinsic motivation, increasing the system's
acceptance to use when individuals perceive that its usefulness is higher. Therefore, many
people claim that technology is the language of this era, so certainly it should be used by the
young generation in an extensive manner (Chan et al., 2016).
3.3 Future Trends and Recommendations
In recent years, a fundamental and rapid shift in educational practices has been
observed. This will inevitably shape future trends. In fact, widespread adoption of
technologies like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), learning analytics, software
tools, and different social media applications are frequently being used by pupils and
educators, and this trend will continue. According to Jones (2020), applications driven by AI
in education are being developed for future platforms, though these are still in their infancy.
For future students, endless learning materials will be available, which will also be used to
enhance their motivation considerably. It is highly recommended that more tools and
applications based on AI need to be developed that will play important roles in enhancing the
students’ motivation.
Chatbots are quickly becoming a fundamental tool for next-generation education.
These chatbots provide a wide range of benefits, including spaced interval learning, self-
paced learning, immediate feedback, and are designed to simplify the interaction between
technology and the students (Jones, 2020). An innovative tool like this helps teachers adopt
novel strategies for more engaged learning, and at the same time reduces their workload
(Jones, 2020). Higher demand for video-based learning will come from students soon, even
though most institutions are already incorporating video into their curricula in some way.
Thus, the application developers and researchers need to step forward and try their best to
develop new tools and technology that will meet future needs and contribute towards
boosting the motivation of learners in the future.
At present, due to the pandemic, teachers are taking classes online, and hence
different methods will be followed by them to motivate their pupils to do better in future. For
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Vol 5 No 5 (2021)
communication, both students and teachers will use various communication software tools
like Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, and See Saw in an enhanced manner. In addition, new
institutions will start offering online learning environments that the students will welcome, as
they will be able to choose courses that interest them and take those courses at their
convenience. Online platforms like these will also allow them to learn independently to
satisfy their curiosity and gain new skills. As opined by Hartnett et al. (2011), online learners
are intrinsically motivated, on the whole, and so it is expected that the online learning
environments will enhance the motivation of the students in the future. Hence, adequate steps
need to be taken for making these tools more user-friendly and interactive so that the
requirements of future learners can be met.
4. Conclusion
The use of EdTech is considerably increasing in this era of technological revolution
and well appreciated by both the teachers and the learners. Also, the application of EdTech is
no longer considered only for fascination and curiosity. Instead, it has become an integral
component of the educational system. From the above discussion, it is evident that EdTech
enhances students' motivation and leads to higher academic achievements. In the future, new
and innovative tools and technology will be used to make the learning process more
enjoyable and interesting, and at the same time increase the motivation of the students
further, which will also lead to better performance.
5. References
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classroom. South African Journal of Education, 33(2), 1-15.
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students’ needs and learning outcomes: A hybrid game-based app for enhanced
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Chan, S. H., Song, Q., Rivera, L. H., & Trongmateerut, P. (2016). Using an educational
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Francis, J. (2017). The effects of technology on student motivation and engagement in
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Gopalan, V., Bakar, J. A. A., Zulkifli, A. N., Alwi, A., & Mat, R. C. (2017, October). A
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Gustad, A. R. (2014). The impact of technology tools on literacy motivation on elementary
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Jones, K. (2020, February 17). How Technology is Shaping the Future of Education. Visual
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