kiinnostusmallin

Kiinnostusmalli, or interest model, is a term used in Finnish educational and psychological literature to describe theoretical and sometimes computational frameworks that explain how interest in a topic develops and interacts with learning. These models view interest as a dynamic construct that can arise from a specific task or context and may develop into a longer‑lasting disposition toward a subject.

Most kiinnostusmalli distinguish between situational interest—triggered by novelty, curiosity, or perceived value of the activity—and individual (or sustained) interest, which is more durable and tied to personal relevance. Models may integrate cognitive and affective components, such as perceived usefulness, self‑efficacy, engagement, and affective responses, along with the costs and benefits of continued effort. The goal is to describe how interest influences attention, strategy use, persistence, and achievement, and how instructional design can foster or hinder it.

Applications include instructional design, curriculum development, and learning analytics. In practice, researchers employ surveys based on established theories, experience sampling, and log data from digital learning environments to estimate parameter trajectories. Some kiinnostusmalli use latent growth modeling or other time‑series approaches to capture how interest evolves over time and in response to interventions.

Kiinnostusmalli is not a single universal theory but a family of approaches used within Finland to study motivation and engagement. It intersects with broader motivational theories, and ongoing research aims to refine definitions, measurement, and predictive validity in diverse educational settings.