Motivational Factors in Thai Music Learning for New Generation University Students

Abstract

The conservation and transmission of Thai classical music within higher education encounters substantial challenges, particularly regarding the motivation of Generation Z students influenced by globalization and digital culture. This research investigates motivational factors impacting contemporary students' participation in Thai music education through qualitative methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected students from a cohort of 350 enrolled in the Music Program, Facult y of Fine and Applied Arts, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, complemented by interviews with 5 Thai music instructors. The study employs Self-Determination Theory and Expectancy-Value Theory as analytical frameworks for examining motivational patterns. Initial findings indicate that despite traditional pedagogical emphases on cultural preservation and technical proficiency, contemporary students demonstrate motivation derived from multifaceted factors: creative expression, social connection, career opportunities, cultural identity construction, and technological integration in learning. The research illuminates’ disparities between conventional instructional methods and current student e xpectations, underscoring the imperative for innovative pedagogy that reconciles cultural authenticity with contemporary engagement approaches. Research outcomes will guide curriculum enhancement, instructional strategy development, and policy recommendati ons for Thai music education at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, advancing sustainable cultural heritage preservation through strengthened student motivation and participation