Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivations: An Experiment on the Role of Competitions in Teaching and Learning

Competitions are indispensable components of skill-based activities. Applied skills are critical parts of many information system courses. In this project we implemented a competition-based learning in teaching of an applied data mining course. Students created predictive models and scored them on a publicly available competition platform (Kaggle). Students’ motivation for learning and satisfaction with learning process were measured and students were asked to reflect on their learning process. Students’ responses and reflections are consistent with the hypotheses that competition-based learning, when accompanied by guidelines and formative feedback, can enhance students’ intrinsic motivation and their satisfaction with the learning process