Investigating Online Learning Motivation through Mc Clelland Motivation Theory

Understanding what drives and sustains learners' motivation is crucial in online learning, as some learners struggle to stay engaged in virtual settings. Therefore, this study aims to explore learner motivation in online language learning through the lens of McClelland’s Theory of Needs, which outlines three fundamental needs derived from life experiences: the need for power, the need for achievement, and the need for affiliation. It also seeks to examine how these fundamental needs influence learners’ behaviour and outcomes in the online learning environment. This quantitative study employed a 5-point Likert scale survey consisting of four sections: Section A (4 items on demographic profile), Section B (13 items on the Need for Power), Section C (16 items on the Need for Achievement), and Section D (12 items on the Need for Affiliation). A total of 251 students from two Malaysian public universities, enrolled in German as a third language or as an elective for basic communication, participated in the study. The findings reveal that McClelland’s Theory of Needs has a positive impact on online language learning. A strong positive correlation was found among all the variables that influence motivation in online language learning, specifically the need for power, achievement, and affiliation, which can help improve the design and delivery of online language instruction.