What motivates teachers to participate in professional development? An empirical investigation of motivational orientations and the uptake of formal learning opportunities

•Teachers' reasons to attend professional development can be measured reliably with a standardized survey instrument.•All motivational constructs correlate positively with each other at a low to medium level.•Teachers' motivations for professional development predict the uptake of professional development activities.•The wish for practical enhancement significantly predicted the uptake of a formal PD activity.•The relationship between teachers' motivation and the uptake of courses varies by content area.