Rewards – External vs. Internal Motivation | Funderstanding: Education, Curriculum and Learning Resources

choice theory

Beyond Goals: Creating An Inspiring Classroom

As teachers head back to school for another year, most have developed goals for the coming school year. Virtually every expert champions the importance of establishing clear, specific goals if you want to be successful. In my experience, goals are … Continue reading →

External Rewards: Some Hidden Costs

Providing an external reward for learning is so pervasive that most of us never even consider the potential downside. In an earlier post – “Internal Motivation: Present from Birth” – I suggested that external rewards can actually interfere with learning. … Continue reading →

Internal Motivation: Present From Birth

There is a common belief that internal motivation emerges as children mature. Most people have no trouble accepting that adolescents are internally motivated but cling to the notion that younger children are motivated externally. The truth is that we are … Continue reading →