Many foreign elementary schools or universities apply the mixed-grade class model while having a lecture, which means students from different grades are taught in one section. This teaching model is rare in China but standard at Wenzhou-Kean University. Motivation and class engagement are two significant factors influencing students’ academic performance. This study aims to investigate the correlation between learning motivation, class engagement, and students' academic performance in mixed-grade classes and determine whether students’ high learning motivation and class engagement could predict good academic performance. This quantitative study collected 169 students’ responses from Wenzhou-Kean University, using a validated questionnaire to evaluate students’ learning motivation, class engagement, and academic performance. This study uses convenience sampling to collect data and analyze it using SPSS. Pearson correlation reveals that learning motivation and class engagement positively correlate with students’ academic performance in general and among students of different grades. The Linear regression found that learning motivation and class engagement could predict academic performance of various ages. One-way ANOVA finds no significant differences among different year grades regarding the three main variables, but this hypothesis should be retained due to the limitation of lack of sample. With these results, students can have a clearer insight and a comprehensive understanding of improving their academic performance in a mixed-grade class. This study also has significance for educators in China, as it can provide some practical teaching concerns and try different educational models while teaching mixed-grade classes.

Authors:
Yirui Du, Wenzhou Kean University, China
Zifan Chen, Wenzhou Kean University, China
Jia Lu, Wenzhou Kean University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Rosalie Palaroan is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Wenzhou Kean University in China

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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