TOWARDS A WEB-BASED HIERARCHICAL GOAL SETTING INTERVENTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

In this paper we present the current state of a digital goal-setting intervention for higher education, which is based on the concept of hierarchical goal systems (HGS). Findings from organizational psychology, motivational psychology and educational psychology related to goals, self-regulated learning and goal systems are covered as a theoretical background. Subsequently, hierarchical goal systems are introduced conceptually and the concrete implementation and the essential functions of the digital HGS intervention are presented. Next, the current state of the development process and four studies currently in progress are briefly summarized. The studies are designed to answer the following research questions: How can students be supported in the discovery of personally relevant educational goals? How can students be supported in the construction of hierarchical goal systems directed towards such personally relevant educational goals? The paper concludes with an outlook on the benefits between students and researchers in the upcoming field study with the digital goal setting intervention.