In order to produce instruction that motivates the learner. Four attributes of the instruction must be considered throughout the design of the instructional strategy. These four parts are attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction. Their initial attention can be gained by using emotional or personal information, asking questions, creating mental challenges, or using human interest examples.
The second aspect of motivation is relevance. Sustaining learner’s attention is difficult. Especially when the students do not perceive the instruction relevant to themselves. Learners ask, “why do we have to study this”? Employees when involved in non essential training, question the relationship between training and their jobs. One way of gaining and sustaining interest is to use information from the learner and context analyses. Instruction must be related to important goals in the learner’s lives. For example, the presentations and lectures heard in this class will continue to help us in our careers, so must of us pay attention during class time.
The third part of ARCS is confidence. For learners to be highly motivated, they must be confident that they can master the objectives for the instruction. Lacking confidence in turn produces a less motivated feeling, which leads to incomplete learning. Learners who are overconfident are also problematic. Learners who lack confidence must be convinced that they have the skills and knowledge to be successful. If a leaner has mastered the instruction, they should be given more advanced instruction that meets the four aspects of the ARCS model.
The final component of Keller’s model is satisfaction. High motivation depends on whether the learner derives satifscation from the learning experience. Some would be refer to this as reinforcement. Sometimes satisfaction is sustained through the use of extrinsic rewards for success. Promotions, receiving a high grade, or time off from work or school. The intrinsic satisfaction a learner can gain by mastering a new skill and being able to use it successfully is equally, if not more important. Self-esteem can be greatly enhanced through the learning process.
There is a direct relationship between the five main learning components of the instructional strategy and the four aspects of motivation described in the ARCS approach. Is this material related/ relevant to my personal needs and interests? Am I confident I can do this by expending reasonable effort? Did this satisfy my needs and interests? If answered yes, leaner will focus attention on the instruction. If no, learner will not focus attention on instruction.