internal motivation verses external motivation
While some people motivation is a job that brings to them a lifestyle of monatary rewards they find fullfilling, then you have people who are not as motivated by the monatary rewards but by the internal pleasure they get from the the pride of their education and status it brings.
Gregory, rewards can come in many forms and knowing what motivates one set of students over another is also critical. While I personally am not one for handing out candy in the classroom or other forms of material rewards I have seen this method done well and to the benefit of achieving higher levels of student outcomes. Each situation will be somewhat different and what works with one set of students on the east coast may have horrible results in the Midwest or some other part of the country. This is why education is not just a matter of following some prescribed process. Each situation is somewhat unique and requires skilled instructors to figure out the best approach for any given situation.
James Jackson
I don't remember rewards being used much after the "gold star" days of elementary school, other than the reward of getting good grades. I do remember subjects where I became motivated either because of an outstanding teacher, or some activities associated with the subject. Usually it was both--the teacher was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and knew what types of activities could "hook" students and get them engaged beyond just the hope for a good grade. For adults that I deal with, I think their motivation is usually both instrinsic and extrinsic. They generally enjoy their profession, thus it's instrinsic; and they see how the subject matter will provide new opportunities or better ways or doing what they already do.
dan, great post and I agree 100%. Watching students during graduation and having them return to the classroom or contact you after they have started their career to thank you and make nice comments is more rewarding to me than any material items I could receive. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
James Jackson
This is the best reward when you hear from your former students or even sometimes actual students doing good with their carreer, and being succesful, especially when they thank you for what you taught them, and when they realized how much we care to provide them with a good education.
Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
Theodore Roosevelt
Dr. Carlton, well stated and also worth noting is how students can detect which instructors are just perform the functions of their job and which ones are passionate about their subject and transferring their knowledge to their students. It is not by mistake that the more passionate instructors tend to be the most successful in achieving the learning objectives of a course or receive the better student satisfaction comments and scores.
James Jackson
When you are internally motivated you can create your own world within your career. However, if you are doing it for the money, then you go to work for WHAT you are getting rather than HOW or WHY you are getting it.
Thomas, good to also remember that there are many people that make a lot of money that are not very happy. We need money to take care of ourselves and our loved ones but working just for the highest paycheck can be a very difficult life choice. If you are able to do what you love every day, you will never work a day in your life.
James Jackson
patricia, and yet for some others their motivation is the feeling they get when they see one of their more challenged students graduate and go on to have a successful career. There are many forms of motivation.
James Jackson
People that are under the influence of money usually are more motivated to achieve success in the business world. By comparison, people motivated by being of service to others may consider themselves a success but not in a way of cash flow. This might be considered selling verses sharing. Neither are bad, just a difference of personal attributes.
