Authors:

Abstract

Background: Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Directed Learning (SDL) as two characteristics of adult learners are believed to be performed in a Problem Based Learning (PBL) curricula. The Medical Faculty of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has been implementing PBL curricula for approximately 20 years. It is important to know the results of the application of PBL curricula in regards to the efforts in performing the character of adult learners.

Methods: This is a cross sectional study design, which uses questionnaires as the instrument. Research subjects were third year students from three Study Programs (General Medicine, Health-Nutrition, and Nursing). The questionnaires used were Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) and Self Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) Fisher questionnaire.

Results: A total of 451 students (86.07%) were willing to fill out the questionnaires completely. The average value of the third-year students’ intrinsic motivation was 26.67 from the maximal value of 35, and SDLRS score was 138.85 from the maximal value of 185. The Person correlation on the intrinsic motivation relationship with SDL was only 0.234 (r<0.35).

Conclusions: The results show that the character of adult learners have not being well performed in the UGM Medical Faculty. Further researches need to be conducted on the factors that affect the formation of adult learners’ character that includes cultural, motivation, students’ perception and learning approach factors.

Keywords: problem-based learning, self-directed learning, intrinsic motivation, adult learners