Title:
ENHANCING ACADEMIC SELF-EFFICACY THROUGH POSITIVE ATTITUDE ON AN ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATIONAL PROGRAM: A SIMULTANEOUSLY STUDY IN THREE SCHOOLS

Authors:
Getrude C. Ah Gang @ Grace ,Malaysia

Abstract:
This study examines the effects of students’ attitude towards an achievement motivational program and its effect on academic self-efficacy. An achievement motivational program with the theme of “Strive for Excellence: Achieving Your Academic Goals” was conducted on the same day in three different secondary schools. The program’s contents were similar for each school and were delivered through various structured activities (e.g., motivational talks, shared academic experiences, motivational videos, small group discussions, and motivational games). A total of 268 students took part in this program, each completing a questionnaire that consisted of three sections. Section A measured the participants’ demographic profile (8 items); Section B measured the students’ attitudes towards the achievement motivational program (9 items) and Section C measured their academic self-efficacy (3 items). The questionnaire was given to the participants after they completed the one-day program in each school. The study shows that the students’ attitudes towards the achievement motivational program have an effect on their academic self-efficacy. The students’ attitudes towards the achievement motivational program contributed to 2.5% of the variance on their academic self-efficacy (? =.16, t(268)= 2.60, p = .01). These findings show that the students’ attitudes towards the one-day program can increase the students’ academic self-efficacy in various ways, such as believing that they can complete the hardest academic tasks if they try and that they can learn new things taught in school. It is suggested that the students’ positive attitudes towards various activities in the achievement motivational program can help to increase students’ academic self-efficacy.