Browsing by Subject "Master of Early Childhood Education"

Master's degree in Early Childhood Education consists of 120 credits and it trains Early Childhood Education specialists and developers. In the Spring of 2013 85 people applied for studies. 40 new students were chosen. To apply for studies candidates have to write a motivation-essay. In the essay there are five questions candidates have to answer. The purpose of these questions is to find out candidates earlier work experience, training, potential challenges in studies, knowledge about the degree and motives for studying. The theory section of my master's thesis consists of motivation theories, from which Self-Determination Theory is the most relevant. I'm also going to introduce motives for adult education, because most of the candidates have been working for many years after graduating. 55 motivation essays are the research material of my study. The purpose of my study is to find out why these candidates want to apply for Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. I also want to find out if there are some kind of similarities in candidate's motives. This study is a qualitative content analysis. By reading essays carefully, I'll find phrases that answer my research questions. Similar motives belong to same group of motives. I have also quantified research results in a chart. In my research I found out that there are five types of motives for applying for studies: making research, developing oneself, advancing in career, social influencing and postgraduate studies. Largest group was those who wanted to advance in their career. 50 candidates mentioned it. Most of the candidates had more than one motive to apply for studies. Second largest group was those who wanted to develop their professional skills, it was mentioned in 40 essays. My aim is to compare research result with motive theories. By comparing results with motivation theories, I was able to conclude that some of the motives were intrinsic and some were extrinsic. Advancing in career and postgraduate studies are extrinsic motives. Developing oneself and making research are intrinsic motives. Social influencing can be perceived as intrinsic or extrinsic motive.