Relationships between motivation, cognitive styles and perception of teaching practices for creativity

Abstract This study investigates differences between Pedagogy and Teachers' Certificate in Mathematics undergraduates, males and females, from public and private institutions with respect to motivational orientations, cognitive styles and perception of pedagogical practices for creativity implemented by their teachers, as well as relationships between these variables. Three hundred and sixty-five students answered scales regarding motivation to learn, cognitive styles, and teaching practices for creativity. Intrinsic motivation predominated in the private university students and extrinsic motivation in the public university students. The data revealed differences between courses, gender and type of university concerning cognitive styles. Private university and pedagogy students had a more positive perception of professors' teaching practices that promote creativity. Positive relationships were observed between the factors of the instrument of pedagogical practices for creativity, intrinsic motivation and nonconformist transformer style, and between the various cognitive styles and intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientation