Motivation and RewardsCaitlin Taylor

Mechanicsburg Area School District

What motivates you?

How do you motivate your students?

What We Will Cover...

Behaviorism

Temporary Demotivation

Apathy

Rewards and the Brain

Factors that effect rewards

Intrinsic motivation

Behaviorism and Education

Began in 1950's with Behaviorism

Rewards were cheap, harmless, and effective

Effective only for simple physical actions

Complex behaviors impaired by rewards

Humans seek new experiences and behaviors regardless

Temporary Demotivation

1. Past associations

2. Classroom environment

3. Relationship with the future

• content beliefs

• context beliefs

Apathy

• 3 categories are temporary states

• Appropriate response to the environment

• States constantly changing

• Disappears with engaging activity or music

What is a reward?

Predictability

• Know what it is ahead of time

Market value

• Grades, candy, etc.

Factors that Effect Rewards

Genetics

Life experiences

• Thrive off survival

• Success in cooperative roles of leader and follower

• Emotional literacy skills needed

Intrinsic Motivation

Compelling goals

Positive beliefs

Productive emotions

• Stress and threat mobilize or do not

Learner's natural search and construction for meaning

Strategies

1. Eliminate threat

2. Daily goal-setting

3. Influence students' positive beliefs in themselves

4. Manage student emotions through movement and celebration

5. Provide feedback

How will this new knowledge motivate you to motivate your students?

Your turn!

Resources UsedInformation:

Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

MacDonald, M.(2008). Your brain: the missing manual. Canada: O'Reilly Media.

Images:

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