Motivation and Rewards. Jensen, E.
Feb 1st, 2010 | By Chris | Category: AnnotationsAn Annotation
Jensen, E. (1998) Motivation and Rewards. Teaching with the brain in mind (62-70). Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Great article. Jensen starts this chapter by introducing us to a bit of the history around the research surrounding intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. While educators routinely use extrinsic/stimulus-response rewards it turns out that this type of motivation is only truly effective for “simple physical actions” not for “solving challenging cognitive problems, writing creatively, (or) designing and completing projects.” So many of today’s classrooms are bases on flawed theory. He then goes on to explain how and why intrinsic motivation works better. That the brain is often perfectly satisfied to “pursue novelty and curiosity, embrace relevance, and bathe in the feedback from success” because it (the brain) creates it’s own rewards—called opiates. He also offers a great model for increasing intrinsic motivation in “Supercamp” a 10-day camp he co-founded.
Related posts:
- Helping students value learning. Sullo, B
- Motivation and learning: practical teaching tips for block schedules, brain-based learning, multiple intelligences, improved student motivation, increased achievement.
- Understanding internal motivation. Sullo, B.
- Motivation to begin a lesson or task. Tileston, D.
- Dan Pink on the surprising science of motivation
