title: Students generate items for an online formative assessment: Is it motivating?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A reported problem with e-learning is sustaining students' motivation. We propose a framework explaining to what extent an e-learning task is motivating. This framework includes students' perceived Value of the task, Competence in executing the task, Autonomy over how to carry out the task, and Relatedness.
  
  
  METHODS
  To test this framework, students generated items in an online environment and answered questions developed by their fellow students. Motivation was measured by analyzing engagement with the task, with an open-ended questionnaire about engagement, and with the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (MSLQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students developed 59 questions and answered 1776 times on the questions. Differences between students who did or did not engage in the task are explained by the degree of self-regulation, time management, and effort regulation students report. There was a significant relationship between student engagement and achievement after controlling for previous academic achievement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study proposes a way of explaining the motivational value of an e-learning task by looking at students' perceived competence, autonomy, value of the task, and relatedness. Student-generated items are considered of high task value, and help to perceive relatedness between students. With the right instruction, students feel competent to engage in the task.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Teaching and Learning, Utrecht University , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rianne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poot
authors.affiliation: a Center for Teaching and Learning, Utrecht University , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Renske A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Kleijn
authors.affiliation: b Biomedical Sciences , Education Center, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Harold V M
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: van Rijen
authors.affiliation: a Center for Teaching and Learning, Utrecht University , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Tartwijk
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult