My thoughts

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2002 : August : 7

My thoughts
By Anna

I don't think that the whole goal of school is to pay attention and learn. We are with our students for an enourmous amount of time and they spend a great deal of their lives with us.

Do I want my students to learn?
Yes. But I am not going to try to get them to learn by way of bribery. Yes, I think that is ethically wrong. But I can set that aside for a moment. I am more stunned at the fact that people ignore research studies that show such things as bribery and classroom money systems (cash in for your reward) are detrimental in the long run and teach students nothing about behavior.
Maybe some

people find the ideas of intrinsic motivation confusing and daunting. That does not excuse them from thinking about it and it does not excuse them from ignoring research.

Finally, this is not about doing what works for you. Obviously what works for you - and may be easiest for you - is giving a piece of candy to keep the piece. This is about helping students to learn and grow both intellectually and socially. This should be about what will work best for them in the long term. It is not always what will make your job the easiest