Open Access

Abstract Introduction Using the situated expectancy–value theory, it becomes possible to explain motivational functioning across alternating learning conditions not only at a particular moment but also over time. The situated expectancy–value theory provides evidence for the critical role of context. The present research examines how adolescents' success expectancies, task values, and effort develop when the conditions of the academic environment change. It also evaluates whether adolescents adopt more adaptive expectancy–value profiles in response to the need‐based nature of self‐directed learning as an extension of regular instruction. Within the self‐directed learning approach under investigation, adolescents take responsibility for their own learning processes. Methods The present research offers insights into the expectancy–value profiles of 754 German adolescents (Mage = 13.56; SD = 1.2; 49.4% female). A four‐wave study was used to examine perceptions of self‐efficacy, intrinsic value, utility value, and effort. Latent profile analyses and latent transition analyses were employed. Results Notably, the results provide evidence that expanding instruction via self‐directed learning intervals that occur for 1 week per semester contributes to more favorable expectancy–value profiles within a student's favorite subject. A mixed profile (highly confident, hardly interested) disappeared. Instead, success expectations aligned more closely with adolescents' task values and effort. All profiles settled at a higher level. Conclusions The findings indicate that instruction that is expanded via self‐directed learning intervals has positive consequences for motivational profiles over time. An initial self‐directed learning episode led to a shift to more interested profile groups. The continuation of a positive trend even after a self‐directed learning interval indicates that adolescents are able to continually adapt their learning to their needs during teacher‐directed instruction. This study provides clues about how to design curricula in a way that counteracts the downward trend in students' motivation to learn.

We present the first systematic literature review on stress and burnout in K−12 teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a systematic literature search, we identified 17 studies that included 9,874 K−12 teachers from around the world. These studies showed some indication that burnout did increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were, however, almost no differences in the levels of stress and burnout experienced by K−12 teachers compared to individuals employed in other occupational fields. School principals' leadership styles emerged as an organizational characteristic that is highly relevant for K−12 teachers' levels of stress and burnout. Individual teacher characteristics associated with burnout were K−12 teachers' personality, self-efficacy in online teaching, and perceived vulnerability to COVID-19. In order to reduce stress, there was an indication that stress-management training in combination with training in technology use for teaching may be superior to stress-management training alone. Future research needs to adopt more longitudinal designs and examine the interplay between individual and organizational characteristics in the development of teacher stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Students’ sense of belonging presents an essential resource for academic and health outcomes, whereas social exclusion at school negatively impacts students’ well‐being and academic performance. Aiming to understand how feelings of school‐related belonging and exclusion shape the structural brain development, this study applied longitudinal questionnaire‐based data and MRI data from 71 adolescent students (37 females, Mage at t1 = 15.0; t2 = 16.1 years). All were white participants from Germany. Voxel‐based morphometry revealed only an association of social exclusion (and not of belonging) and gray matter volume in the left anterior insula: From t1 to t2, there was less gray matter decrease, the more social exclusion students perceived. School‐related social exclusion and disturbed neurodevelopment are thus significantly associated.

Parents, peers, and teachers provide a powerful context for school students’ well-being. However, a detailed and systematic analysis of how parental, peer, and teacher support relate to students’ well-being, measured by the dimensions self-worth, psychological and physical well-being, is still missing. To address this research gap, the following study investigates 733 adolescent German students from grades 7 and 8 (Mage = 13.97, SD = 0.41, 52% girls) with respect to their perceived supportive relationships at home and within the school context. The study considers gender, socioeconomic status, and school form as potential confounders. The results of the structural equation model, analyzed with the statistical software R, indicate that perceived teacher support was positively related to students’ self-worth and physical well-being, while peer support was related to psychological well-being. Students who perceived their parents as supportive reported higher well-being with respect to all three dimensions investigated.

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht eine individualisierte und schülerzentrierte Lernumgebung auf der Basis von Kompetenzrastern und vergleicht diese mit einem konventionellen lehrergeführten Unterricht. Der erste Teil der vorliegenden Dissertation beschreibt die Entwicklung der Lernumgebung und skizziert die theoretischen Hintergründe der motivationalen Entwicklung von Schüler*innen. Anschließend vergleichen drei Studien beide Lernumgebungen hinsichtlich der motivationalen Variablen und des Zusammenspiels dieser, um einerseits beide Lernumgebung zu evaluieren und andererseits Prädiktoren von Motivation und Lernverhalten zu untersuchen. Alle drei Studien basieren auf einer Stichprobe von 1,153 Schülerinnen und Schülern im Alter von 12 bis 18 Jahren (M = 13.97, SD = 1.37, 49% Mädchen). Studie 1 untersucht, ob wahrgenommene Autonomie die Beziehung von Selbstwirksamkeit einerseits und der Lernstrategienutzung anderseits mediiert. Latente Mittelwertsvergleiche und Mehrgruppen-Mehrebenen-Strukturgleichungsmodelle wurden durchgeführt um die Hypothesen zu untersuchen. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass wahrgenommene Autonomieunterstützung die Beziehung zwischen Selbstwirksamkeit und Lernstrategien mediiert, allerdings ausschließlich für Schülerinnen und Schüler in der schülerzentrierten Lernumgebung auf der Basis von Kompetenzrastern. Studie 2 untersucht, ob Kompetenzunterstützung die Beziehung vom akademischen Selbstkonzept und der Leistungsmotivation unterschiedlich für Schülerinnen und Schüler aus einer lehrergeführten und einer schülerzentrierten Lernumgebung auf der Basis von Kompetenzrastern mediiert. Latente Mittelwertsvergleiche und Mehrgruppen-Strukturgleichungsmodelle wurden konzipiert, um die Hypothesen zu untersuchen. Die Mehrgruppen-Strukturgleichungsmodelle zeigen, dass Kompetenzunterstützung ausschließlich in der schülerzentrierten Lernumgebung auf der Basis von Kompetenzrastern die Beziehung vom akademischen Selbstkonzept und der Leistungsmotivation mediiert, vor allem für Schülerinnen und Schüler in der frühen Adoleszenz. Studie 3 untersucht den reziproken Zusammenhang zwischen Leistungsemotionenn und selbstbestimmter Motivation. Latente Mittelwertsvergleiche und autoregressive cross-lagged Panel Analysen wurden durchgeführt, um die Hypothesen zu untersuchen. Reziproke Beziehungenn wurden nicht nachgewiesen. Allerdings konnte aufgezeigt werden, dass ausschließlich in der schülerzentrierten Lernumgebung auf der Basis von Kompetenzrastern positive Leistungsemotionen (i.e., Lernfreude) selbstbestimmte Formen der Motivation vorhersagen. Die vorliegende Arbeit wird abgeschlossen durch eine Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse, praktische Implikationen für die Schulpraxis, sowie durch ein Limitationskapitel.