Motivational orientations in learning and academic achievement amongst high school students at Pondok Pesantren Darunnajah Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This study analyzed the motivational orientations in learning and academic achievement among high school students at Pondok Pesantren Darunnajah, Jakarta, Indonesia. It also examined the three dimensions of motivational orientations, namely mastery, performance, and performance-avoidant with other related variables, such as gender, age group, and abjlity group. The present research used a modified questionnaire from the established questionnaires developed by prominent researches in the field. The questionnaire was administered to 280 students from the selected forms in Pondok Pesantren Darunnajah. A 4-point Likert scale was used to measure the students' motivational orientations, and the aggregate score on the final examination for first semester 2002/2003 was used as indicators of students' academic achievement. One-way ANOV A and Pearson's Correlation tests were administered. This study found that the students of Pondok Pesantren Darunnajah were high in mastery orientation. It also revealed that there was a statistical significant difference between male and female students in performance-avoidant orientation as well as between Junior and Senior high school in mastery orientation. However, with regard to high and low ability group students, there were no statistical significant differences in all dimensions of motivational orientation. By using Pearson's Correlation test, this research indicated that there was a positive correlation between mastery orientation and academic achievement and also between performance orientation and academic achievement. However, perfonnance-avoidant orientation was negatively correlated. Finally, recommended implications for teachers and parents along with areas of future research were suggested.