I wanted to post an idea my Social Studies prof discussed on Friday in class, mostly because I found it so incredibly interesting!
Before we launched into presentations, he gave a quick talk about the hypocrisy of using candy and grades to motivate students in the classroom. He asked us to consider this: is that kind of material motivation really needed? Here is the one point he said that really stuck in my head:
“The idea that we have to lure people to learn suggests that learning isn’t a natural state.”
He suggested that rather than motivation in material form, we should be recognizing and celebrating the good in all of our students- and that recognition will have an even greater effect on their desire and self-motivation to do well. This idea has really intrigued me because I can certainly see his point of view: By recognizing all student achievement- even if it is something as simple as that student having a postive attitude in class- we can continue to make that student want to be in the classroom and want to keep learning.
On the other hand, isn’t a huge part of development (at least in an educational aspect) based on positive/negative reinforcement that in turn teaches effective behavior? (Wow, I sound like our psychology textbook...) And if we don’t have material means (such as grades) to motivate, how do we hold onto certain students who just dont have any self-motivation or desire to learn (at least in high school)?
Those are just a couple points for each side, I know there are more...so feel free to add your thoughts on the subject!
Excellent post Jess!
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with the idea that we should not have to use material motivation with our students, I also know that it works. Surely we can all remember getting prizes in school and how fun it was. Also, as we have seen in many of our classes so far, anytime we can make learning competitive helps to get students excited and involved. I say that if something as simple as candy can increase students' chances of success then it cannot be a bad thing. :)
Extrinsic motivators (candy, points, banana bucks) have their place particularly if they are not used all the time. Sometimes students need the hook to engage and this can't always be based on internal motivation.
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