Enjoyment of learning in upper secondary education. An exploratory research

The paper aims at presenting the results of an exploratory research conducted on students in upper secondary education. The goal of the research was to investigate students' enjoyment experiences of being at school and taking part of learning activities in order to enhance teaching practice and learning management strategies. To conduct the study a hybrid methodology blending qualitative and quantitative techniques was preferred. Quantitative data were collected by using the Enjoy Questionnaire, a research tool translated and adapted on Romanian students. The enjoyment of learning was operationalized through a hierarchical four-level model. The study reveals pessimistic students, with negative attitudes on school and learning. In addition, their perspective on school and learning affects the enjoyment of life. Most of the respondents argue that school is a bad period in their lives, an obstacle to do things that are more interesting. Other negative emotions complete the perceptions on learning and school: anxiety, anger, frustration and boredom. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.