Factors Influencing Learning Interest in Handicraft Lessons

Interest in learning is a topic that has provided research material to many researchers around the world. The causes of declining learning interest in different subjects have been studied, as well as how to support and stimulate students’ interest in learning. Research has shown that the main reasons for declining learning interest are the nature of the learning tasks (too easy or too difficult, not interesting) and the attitude of the teacher. Handicraft and home economics in the Estonian general education curriculum is a practical integrated subject where students can apply the knowledge they have acquired in different subjects and realize their creative ideas. Thus, it could be assumed that the subject is of interest to students. At the same time, based on student surveys and classroom observations, it can be stated that there are students in almost every class and school who are not interested in learning a craft and are not motivated to participate in the learning activities. As craft lessons differ from other lessons due to their practical nature, it was decided to investigate the learning interest in handicraft. The aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing learning interest in handicraft lessons in order to understand how handicraft teachers could support students’ learning. A quantitative research method was chosen for the research, and a survey was used as a research instrument. As a result of the research, it can be stated that comparing the factors influencing learning interest in handicraft lessons with the results of other similar research, we can state that although handicraft is slightly different from other subjects due to its practical nature, the factors influencing learning interest are similar across the subjects. The interest in the subject largely depends on the age of the students and the activities of the teacher.