resentments
Occasionally I will have students who resent other students in the class. They feel very strongly that all students should get treated the same regardless of the circumstances. So they quit participating and gain an attitude towards the school and the instructors.
I run into this also, often because learning for some people is very easy and for others it is a grueling process. I deal with classes with a wide range of ages, some just out of high school and some out for decades. It is difficult to find a extrinsic motivator that appeals to all students involved. But like the conclusion states,"what motivates us, motivates them", so I use what I would like (displaying good work on walls, having them present to the other classes, etc.)and it seems to spur them on!
This seems like an interesting issue. Does their resentment stem from the fact that they are not being rewarded enough for their hard work? As in why is their A for an outstanding project the same as a slacker's A for guessing?
Or is it more personal, outside class issues?
