DUE Tuesday, OCTOBER 8, 2013
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
Learning and doing are their own rewards. No external rewards are required. Yet when external rewards are introduced—whether attention and praise from parents or prizes from teachers—these rewards exert a substantial influence. Instead of reading books to find out about the world, kids will read to win prizes. Kids will produce for rewards, but the quality of their activity and their interest in it will be dramatically altered.
Adapted from Barry Schwartz, The Costs of Living
Assignment:
Is it wrong or harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering them rewards? Plan and write a minimum 2 paragraph response in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations. Post your response by Tuesday.
Michael Gorzynski
ReplyDeleteBlog 5
10/2/13
It seems to me (And i will be the first to point out that I feel like it’s me and only me) that our education in America, as a whole, is getting much more simplistic than in the past, but at the same rate, it’s getting much, much less attention from students. I have witnessed many students just not want to learn. It’s not that they can’t, oh no. Many of these students really have amazing, bright minds. It’s just that they don't want to. Education now seems to come second ‘more important’ things like new video game releases.
In fact, I took vantage of a survey taken. 1008 people answered. out of that, 182 parents let their kids take off school to get the game. That’s about 19% of parents. Out of 300 million people in the U.S., maybe about half of them being children, that’s about 8 million kids in the US alone who skipped school to get that game. 8 million.
Now, this is just an estimate, and the total number may be completely wrong. The survey was asking adults if they’d let their child miss school for GTA 5, and those who answered, I am assuming in the results that they all let their child miss school. But in actuality, maybe a quarter of them actually did. But still, that’s about 2 million.
Yea. Still a pretty large number.
But I digress. The point I am trying to say here is that our generation as a whole does not care for education (Of course, there are many, many who do care.).
From this, a new idea rises; Why don’t we give our students incentives to do their work and to get good grades?
Well, one school in Virginia, I believe it is, implemented a plan to give students (Who are students who are known to fail/ not try) who pass with A-B grades 50$ every month they keep the good grades. Some students, not surprising, tried really hard to get good grades so they can get the money. Surprisingly, though; Many students did not. Many students said that they’d rather keep a social life then to be 50$ richer.
Now this is what boggles me. Why would a someone who is given the chance to earn a decent amount of money by simply taking about an hour out of their day to study and do homework not do it?
I believe the answer is simple. Personally, I do not believe incentives are a good idea. Why should we reward students for something they should already be doing? I mean, shouldn't students want an education? Don’t students want to go far?
The answer, I believe, is that incentives to nothing when kids already are able to get whatever they want with a flick of a wrist, a phony cry and a silent, insinuated threat to their parents. Eight year old children have iPhones, 16 year old teenagers have brand new cars, and 24 year old adults still live in their parents basements.
Again, this does not apply with everyone. Nothing ever does (Except if you were to say everyone dies, of course). But chances are, the next time you see a child who is old enough to walk and talk and go to school alone, they either have one, two, or all of the following; (A) A cell phone/smart phone (B) A tablet (C) A computer or (D) A personal/handheld/home entertainment/gaming console.
So really, what incentive can we give students?
Money? Yea, right. Their parents more likely than not spoil them.
Items? What more can they want, really? They already have it all.
So really, I believe incentives are useless in the modern day and age USA. Back
when, it would probably be a great idea. Just know a days? I just don’t ever see it actually working. So if you ever ask me, children, if they should give students incentives to learn more about the real world outside of school, don’t expect the answer you want to hear.
Plus, I love to argue.*
By the way...
Delete*Ahem*
FIRST!
I thoroughly enjoyed your response - especially mentioning what the various ages get as spoiled, entitled brats (the 8 year olds with phones, the 16 year olds with cars, and the 24 year olds in parents' basements). I agree with you.
DeleteGiving your child a reward for doing something good is a great way to motivate them to keep working hard and to do more. Sometimes children will actually only do better if they get something out of it! This isn't always the best habit to have because kids will only work hard if they get something out of it! However, kids should be learning to work hard to succeed and to go far, not to receive girts and presents. Giving your child a reward every time the do something good will give them the wrong idea about life. Sometimes in life people will do amazing things, although they won't receive an award for it. They would be doing it for themselves or for the people around them. As kids grow older there should be less bribes and rewards and more hard work for the future. In conclusion, its alright to reward children when they're young for good things, however when they start getting older they have to learn to be more independent. When I was younger I rarely received awards from my parents, and I know that I have to work hard for success and not reward.
ReplyDeleteA bit too short for two paragraphs - try adding specific examples from life.
DeleteIn my opinion, it is not wrong or harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering awards. But I do believe that once you reach a certain age, such as a teenager, should not be offered prizes. The reason why I say this is because when you reach a certain age you should already know better to do your work. Plus though out your whole life whatever we end up doing we are not going to get prizes for everything we do. For example, when you’re in college when you get an A+ on a report your parents aren’t going to give you an award or prize (you are on your own). On the other hand, I believe when you ware young you should get rewarded and get prizes. The reason for this is because it gives smaller kids a push. When giving kids rewards/prizes it makes them was to learn more and push themselves so they can get an even bigger prize the next time. By doing this, believe it or not, it helps kids learn whatever they need to learn. To sum everything up, what I am trying to say is that I do believe that you should get rewarded, but it all depends on what age you are.
ReplyDeleteReward in education
ReplyDeleteMarcus Caldwell
Reward in education should be something all teachers should do in my opinion, it always seems like people do well when there is a prize if you finish and do very good on it. I’m sure almost every kid in school would like a prize for all their hard work and effort they put in school, whether it’s in school from their teachers or at home from their parent or guardian. Also people get competitive when a prize is up for grabs between people; kids will become competitive and try to make the best essay or test grade they can. Besides it would make class more entertaining if we win a prize for the best grade or the best essay grade, sometimes class can get boring and get a little bit sleepy at times. But if there is something to win we will try to stay with it, take notes, and pay attention then a regular class would.
It is a little bit understandable in the long run kids grades will improve and kids will put more effort in their work. Humans can be competitive all the time, for example in politics or in those game shows like survivor or American idol. They are all competing for something and they work hard to get it, so we use human nature to our advantage and kids in school will be more willing and put more effort in their work. Also will hardly be anyone staying back, I’m not saying there will but there will be less of it in school. It would be better for the teachers to because they won’t have to yell at kid’s ether as much because kids will be focused on their work than causing a mess and getting in trouble.
Good analogy with the political system and using the competitiveness of human nature in general. Solid.
DeleteSydney white
ReplyDelete10/4/13
per:9
In my opinion I don’t think it’s a good idea to reward kids for good work. Think about it, every time your kid does the right thing you reward them? That would make the parent broke after buying all the rewards, and the parents must be very desperate for their kid to do well. A kid should do well weather they get a gift or not. Children are not dogs, they don’t need to be given “treats” every time they “fetch a ball”. Children should work up to the best of their ability, because they want a good education, not because they want a million gifts.
Children should work hard in school or anywhere they go but a reward for everything? No! Once in a while parents can give their kid a reward for the first time they make it to the honor roll, but every time, that isn’t a very good idea. If you reward your child for every good deed they do, they will continue to do it just because they want gift, and they might even expect that once they get to high school, and or college. Kids have to lean the right way and work as hard as they can, and not get rewarded every time they do something good. Education is the child’s real reward.
Edwin Unsihuay
ReplyDelete10/4/13
Blog 5
I think it is wrong to motivate people to learn or achieve something new by offering them rewards because then the person will just be working for the rewards and not concentrating on their education. Education is something that should be taken seriously because people will go through different cycles in life. For example, when you get to college the professors are going to expect that you have a high level of IQ. The person will only be striving for that reward that they so deeply want and not care of new lessons being taught. Those rewards are what motivate us it’s like gas fuel that keeps us going but this time we’re chasing for that reward. Everyone likes a reward in return so do I but I believe this obstacle is what’s blocking the kids of today from learning anything in school or anywhere.
I too was like one of those kids when back than I used to appreciate getting rewards but now I’ve changed. Video games, books, money, and movies are some examples of rewards that a person might get in return. I know to some school is just a game but we shouldn’t be motivated by rewards. We should strive for success and to improve our education. Back then that was the past this is now the future. We should start taking life more seriously now to improve our knowledge and to work hard. Forget the rewards because every second of work counts in life which is important.
Nice metaphor of fuel in the first paragraph. Careful of run ons. Try to add more specific detail of situations in the second paragraph.
DeleteIn my opinion I believe that it doesn’t matter how you learn. I as a learner know that if you learn by yourself or learn with a little motivation it is okay. This is only because teachers and parents just want the students to learn, so if it has to be done with some rewards it is fine. I believe that better work comes from some extra motivation because students will try for the reward because I feel that most student learn for fun.
ReplyDeleteFor example when I was in elementary school I was the worst at writing and I feel I still am. But on that particular day a teacher walked in the class room and asked if we would like to join a writing contest. Once I head writing I zoned out I ignored her until I heard prize. I jumped in my seat and raised my hand and asked for her to repeat what she had stated. When she did I tried my hardest to win the prize and in the end I did win. To think of me entering a writing contest was absurd. However with that extra push of reward rose to the occasion and won.
Both of your paragraphs should include detailed examples. Your first one is lacking detail.
DeleteAnthony Cifuentes
ReplyDelete10/04/13
Period 9
In my opinion, it’s fine if getting some type of reward can motivate a student to good. These rewards are obviously not required, but on my most occasions, they help. These rewards will end up motivating the student to always try hard so that one day they could go far in life. For example, a student can get so used to succeeding that one day when they won’t get a reward; they will still try their hardest. That’s because it’s become a habit. Everybody wants to see a child succeed in life! Motivating them definitely helps a lot.
Once you reach a certain stage in your life, you should know what work you should be doing. When you’re younger, you need that extra boost in your life to help you keep going. Once you’re in high school or college, you already know what’s required and if you actually work hard, you can achieve anything that you dream of doing. These good habits take some time to develop. Once they end up working, you’ll be thankful that those prizes worked when you see somebody living their dream.
Proofread before posting - fragments and punctuation errors. Remember to give specific examples and describe situations fully. What examples of rewards are there? A bit short.
Delete“Learning and doing are their own rewards. No external rewards are required. Yet when external rewards are introduced—whether attention and praise from parents or prizes from teachers—these rewards exert a substantial influence. Instead of reading books to find out about the world, kids will read to win prizes. Kids will produce for rewards, but the quality of their activity and their interest in it will be dramatically altered.” This was adapted by Barry Schwartz, The Costs of Living. The meaning behind this is that children are being bribed to do their work which, Barry Schwartz believes in wrong because learning should be its own reward. I do agree with this. I believe that children would learn more if they were actually interested in the material. When they are more intrigued with it, they learn more about the subject. I do think it’s great when children do well, even if they do receive an external reward but, they won’t do as well as someone who is motivated by interest. I know it is hard to find an interest that would spark an interest in children but, once they do find that once subject that does, an external reward isn’t necessary.
ReplyDeleteChildren may develop an attitude if given an external award for work that they are supposed to do. If adults give children awards for every task, they will expect to be rewarded for everything they do. The children may become spoiled. They will never learn this way. This can even affect them outside of children’s education. A child may think that they will be praised for every good deed they do and not do it out of the kindness of their heart. When children are rewarded an external award, they may think that material items are more important than other things such getting an education for a better life. A student who believes good grades are rewards in themselves, will go much farther in life since they are much more focused on education rather than an external award. The type of student can depend on their attitude towards things and I believe that a student who doesn’t receive an external award will be much more successful.
Agreed - all people, children and adults, are motivated by things they are interested in, no matter what that thing is. Self-motivation is a key to being good as something and most people are motivated by a passionate interest. It is key to choose a career that facilitates and feeds that interest.
Deleteome kids are rewarded when they have academic achievements. I believe that this incentive shouldn’t be needed. The satisfaction in the feeling of success should be satisfying enough.Some kids aren’t as motivated as others are to achieve good grades, but you shouldn't give too many prizes to the children. Going out to their favorite place to eat, or taking them to a movie should be enough. I think that if a kid gets used to rewards for doing well, then when they get older they will expect people to motivate them and shower them with gifts.
ReplyDeleteStudies have shown that after being rewarded for good grades or behavior they will keep up the good actions. As soon as there are no rewards to be gained, their grades and or behavior will worsen,http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/ror.htm . Through my own experiences, i have noticed similar things. For example, my little cousins will throw tantrums if they don't get what they normally do. If they usually get a piece of candy after they use proper manners, they will whine and cry until they get their way. My step cousins would also try to pull the same sort of shenanigans. They were used to getting gifts on other peoples birthdays, and one year they came to my birthday party. During my party when gift time came they open their presents first at my party! Infuriated i talked to my dad about it and the next year it didn't happen. Those kids whined all afternoon about not getting a present. These kids were so used to receiving gifts for no reason when it stopped they were like a drug addict going through withdrawal.
Good examples.
DeleteBlog # 5
ReplyDeleteDestiny Lightfoot
Period 3
In opinion, I think that is wrong or harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering them rewards. I feel this way because if you have your child or student learn something when you’re just going to give them a reward then they aren’t really learning anything, they’re just learning the concept just to receive a reward. When you say that “For every A on your report card I’ll give you $20 and take you out for dinner celebration and you can get whatever you want,” then they’re not really learning anything because they’re just doing it for a reward. I honestly think that if a parent or teacher gives rewards or prizes to kids then as the kids get older and eventually become an adult then they’ll think that others, such as their bosses should shower them with gifts and prizes. Some parents say that they’ll give their kid a prize or reward if they do their homework, which they don’t need to because homework is something that kids have to do. My mom always says “If it’s something that you’re supposed to do then I think you don’t need to get a prize.” I feel that what my mom said is true because if you’re supposed to do it, such as school work then you don’t need a reward.
Also, parents shouldn’t make such a big promise, like $20 dollars for every A on the report card because if they get an A for every class meaning all A’s then the mom or dad will be giving their kid $180 dollars, which is insane. I feel that parents shouldn’t give insane and unnecessary promises to give rewards and prizes because then later in the future they’ll think that their boss should give them a bigger raise then what they’re working for. Also, children won’t exactly be learning anything when you’re just giving them prizes, it doesn’t help their knowledge.
I agree with your mother - not every action deserves a reward, especially if it is something required. Rewards should be saved for extraordinary accomplishments, not ordinary ones.
DeleteAs time goes on, it seems our education system is getting simpler and simpler to let children pass school. Yet children still don’t bother to learn. However, whenever they are presented with a reward they seem to want to learn now. Whether it money or an item of some sort. Yet, after reading Michael’s response it seems that some kids still don’t want to learn. Just…what? Children are being offered a reward and yet they still don’t want to learn. Really, it just makes giving students a reward inadequate. Seriously, what has this generation of children become?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up, my father would give me reward for getting A’s in school. It was great motivation and I did well at school, as you would expect. But then he stopped giving me reward, and instead said that he would punish me for doing poorly in school. Now, since I was only 7 years old, you could tell that I was truly frightened. So I had to deal with that for a while. Eventually, I just got used to getting A’s and now I don’t need motivation to do outstanding in school. As you can see by my example, you don’t need motivation to do well in school. Perhaps, maybe, you need to be threatened to do well in school. Now you’re probably thinking, why I would ever threaten a child to do well in school? Well the thing is, what I mean by threaten is to take away their precious iPhones, video games and tablets that all 8 year olds seem to have. Really, it’s just remarkable that children even have these at such a young age.
Furthering my thoughts from before, giving children a reward now is futile. Sure, some kids may still want to work hard in school, but most still won’t. Seriously, kids these days have all the new electronics. What surprises is the fact that parents actually buy these for their children. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was to try to get their kid to do well in school. Well, unfortunately for them, their plan backfired and now their child is not doing well at school. So, in summary, I believe that giving reward to children to get them to do better in school is a terrible idea. What’s the point if they won’t do the work even if they are offered a reward?
I love that there are still kids out there that like to learn for the sake of knowledge.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong to reward for the completion of work? In some cases yes, in others no. When someone rewards another for the completion of work or reading they are simply implying that they are satisfied with the work criteria achievement. Although, some parents along with students take rewards out of hand. They might only work for the reward and may only achieve what is for the reward not for their own personal benefit. One should not reward a child too much or else the child will only accomplish tasks for a prize in the end. Not every accomplishment deserves a reward also. If someone is rewarded for everything they do they may not be able to function without a reward after everything.
In some cases rewards are plentiful and worthy full of rewarding such as tasks. If a child has problems reading because they think it is boring rewards is an option to turn around that opinion. If you give your child stickers, candy, small toys after reading a book that would be beneficial. Although, one can’t simply take that out of hand, for every book a reward cannot be given. That can send out wrong signals to a child. Children cannot merely grow up on the thoughts of there always being rewards after every little thing possible.
Blog #5
ReplyDeleteTyler Medina 10-8-13
To me, I think that it is actually a good idea to give students rewards for reading or doing some of their assignments. I think this because it will give them a little taste of what the future will be like, being rewarded for doing what you're supposed to do is definitely similar to a job. Also, rewarding them if they accomplish a task will most likely encourage the students to actually complete the task. It will motivate the student to get the job done not for just a number, but for something they can actually enjoy or appreciate. I think that more students will get their work done and it will be better fro them and the future as a whole
Let's say that there was a school, and in that school they did a little test to see if something worked or not. For half of the school, they gave rewards to the students that completed their work and handed it in on time, and the other half of the school wasn't rewarded in any way and were just graded on their work. The results would most likely show that the students that were rewarded for the work they accomplished completed more work and did better in effort. Also, the results would most likely show that the kids that weren't rewarded for the work would either do what they usually did, or would start to decrease the amount of work completed. So rewarding students for completing their work would probably help many people and students.
I believe it is harmful to motivate or achieve something by offering people rewards. I feel like that hey should just do something as they're told and deal with it. They shouldn't have to expect to get a prize for accomplishing something they should automatically do. I think receiving a praise is perfectly fine, but not all of the time. The should feel proud of them self finishing or doing something instead of depending on someone else to give them a treat and praise them for everything they do. For example, a couple students share the fact that they read the story in English class when it was assigned for homework anyways. They share their "accomplishment" with the teacher as if they are going to get an A+ for the class. But, the fact is, is that it should have been done in the first place! We don't care whether you read it or not, it was something you had to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why a reward shouldn't be a motivation for people to get things done is because it might become a habit and they will get used to receiving something for things that may not be necessary due to habits. At a young age, for instance, grades Pre-K to second grade get stickers for great grades and sometimes even a prize. If they get used to getting a prize for their successful actions, they will expect that for their future. They will expect to get a reward but if they don't,they may not want to do as good as they used do. So they should learn to just be happy with their work and that is that. This may affect unnecessary things to not get done because they want a reward. For example, if someone's mother needs help unpacking and bringing in groceries from her car into the house, that should just get done without any question. Our mothers do enough for us and helping her with the groceries should be no big deal and shouldn't require a reward.
First of all, people should not receive awards or gifts for achieving goals and receiving grades they should be getting. Although I don't agree with showering students with awards for doing something there supposed to be doing, but my parents did that to me. I was given gifts and prizes for doing good in school, but I thank my parents for doing that to me because I hated doing school work, but then I learned school work wasn't as bad as I thought. Also I'm glad my parents didn't over spoil me because I now get the grades they want, but not just because they want me to have the grades its because I want to have those grades.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, parents shouldn't be over spoiling there children for things they should want to get done. I've had friends who every week had new toys and always had the best video games, but I never got jealous because I didn't need those things to keep me successful in school or in life. Parents should not over award there kids because in the future when there working there going to get something done and expect a prize or a raise and there boss is just going to be like thats what your supposed to do. People shouldn't get special treatment or awards for what we all should be doing on a daily basis.
Alex Montoya
ReplyDeleteBlog 5
I don’t believe that it is wrong or hurtful to a child if there is an external award for getting good grades because I was one of those kids and it helped me. I wasn’t one of the kids who always were rewarded for good grades; it was only from time to time. But as I grew older and the worse my grades became, the more my parents tried to offer. It was always small things that they tried to offer me and my grades were decent enough for me to get the “reward.” I remember the summer before junior year where my parents told me if I did well for the school year that I would get a car. I wasn’t going to blow that chance. By the end of junior year I ended up with a straight B average for every class, except physics. It was the end of the year when I realized how that could help me look at the future.
I only did well in school because I wanted a physical “prize” for my grades. But because of wanting to do well for a reward, I actually retained a lot of the information from that school year. Being “rewarded” isn’t a bad thing because it opens your eyes to two important reasons. One is that because you want really good grades you’re doing better for yourself with your education. The last reason is that instead of your parents giving you a reward, you and your strong grip on education will be able to reward yourself. What’s a better reward for graduating college than buying a house and knowing that you rewarded yourself? Nothing, you have been rewarded almost all your life with small things. Nothing has changed except who is giving the reward to you. A reward is not a bad thing, it is a motivation, if the reward comes from you, your, parents, or whomever, it is still a reason to do well.
I think it's a good idea to give rewards to your child if they get good grades because you are motivating them and making them to work harder. For example, when I get good grades my will buy me Chinese food as my reward, and that makes me think that if I work to my ability I will achieve in life. If kids don't get rewarded they think it's not important and they will just fail in life. Also they will not have hope for them selfs. parents and teachers should motivate them by giving them rewards it will boost their confidence up. But sometimes kids don't get rewarded but it doesn't mean you should stop working to your best. if kids works to their best they will go far in life.
ReplyDeleteTheir are many kids that for get rewarded but it doesn't mean they should just stop and give up. If kids keep trying and taking their education serious they will have a better chance getting to better college or a good job.It doesn't really matter about rewards. What really
Matters is you try your best in school and work to your ability. For example, when I got good grades my parents won't even give me a reward but I wasn't sad because I achieve something in life, and Im working my best to get good grades. Everybody should do well and school if you do get rewards or you don't.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Unfortunately people now a days strive away from that perspective of education. In my situation, I am very spoiled for achieving high grades and achieving all honors classes. My parents me spoil me with video game systems and many awards for all my accomplishments. All though it is a very good technique to make a child achieve higher grades and make them try to strive for success, in the end, all they want is the prize, after that, unless you have a better reward, then they won’t decide on their own to achieve greatness. Education is very powerful and if you want to succeed in life, forget the present rewards and prizes, and look at the bigger picture, of how the best reward given is in the future when you have an amazing house, car, insurance, etc.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it can be harmful and not to motivate someone with a reward to make them achieve it. There are many things that many parents do to motivate their child to achieve something besides in academics. Look at how society is now. A child about 4 years younger than me can have more privileges than me, just because they scored the winning goal in their amateur soccer team. Furthermore you have kids who lose motivation because in the end they don’t get anything. Motivation by giving someone a reward to achieve it can be very healthy, but can turn around as well; what if they reward wasn’t expensive, or luxurious. Now days, unless you get someone a gift or reward worth more than $50, it’s almost nothing. All in all, I would favor the healthy attributes of motivating someone with rewards to achieve something because I am treated like this. As long as I have grades higher than B then I am spoiled with love, and videogames and a phone. All though sometimes these rewards seem meaningless, I look at the fact in the end that the best reward 10 years from now is when I am out of college and with a great Condo, car, food, clothes.
In some aspects I would consider myself a lazy person. When it comes to academics I tend to slack off in my work and complete my work halfheartedly. If I had some sort of motivation like getting $10 for each “A” on my report card I believe my grades would improve. I believe that the right motivation to do better in school would bring out better overall grades for most students. As a child I was called out for not being as intelligent or as bright as some of my peers. By the seventh grade the words really got to me and motivated me to prove everyone who ever doubted my intelligence wrong. I studied hard; I woke up early to study and went to sleep late because of my studying. I was exhausted by the end of the marking period but, I had gotten all A’s and had proved everyone wrong. I was able to achieve that goal because I had the intense motivation I needed.
ReplyDeleteIn my school district a little money can go a long way. If there was some type of monetary motivational system I’m sure that students would put more effort into their studies. I know that if the school provided me with $10 dollars for every “A” I would do better because it is a nice form of motivation. This form of motivation isn’t wrong at all, it would give children the drive to give themselves a better view of life. If this method was performed the students would soon realize that hard work is reward itself. They would soon know that they wouldn’t need tangible prizes to do their best work, they would do their best work because of the good, complete, rewarding feeling that comes with it.
I do not believe it is harmful to motivate someone to learn by offering them rewards. The only reason people do things is because they are motivated to. Some people are self motivated and they can sit down and read a book or do there math homework without any outside force motivating them. Other people though, are not so easily motivated and may require more motivation to get the same job done. It all depends on what a person's interests are. The person who is sitting down reading that book with no other motivation, may need motivation to do something another person does not need motivation for, like working on a car or working out. If you are interested in something you will not need motivation to do it, but for a lot of kids in school, they require this motivation in order to do things like study or do their homework.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that most people forget that they are already getting a reward for doing good in school. Grades are a reward, or a punishment that someone gets based on how hard they work. One student does not just get A's and another does not just get C's. Those are grades given to them based on how well they did in those particular subjects. The kids with A's had to study and do hard work to get those grades. Therefore, the student who got the A's, will then be rewarded with better opportunities for college, and then better opportunities when looking for a career. To say that motivating someone to learn by giving them rewards is wrong, is hypocritical. Just because someone needs a different type of reward does not make it any worse then the rewards already being given out.
Many of today’s American parents now reward children with their accomplishments. They motivate children to achieve goals, and learn. their really is nothing wrong with this method. Kids can get easily distracted, and usually need something to keep them focused and on track. This helps the kids learn, and get rewarded at the same time, making both parties happy.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is important to keep a limit on this. If kids are rewarded for two long, they will always expect it, and in going into school, the teachers don’t reward kids for answering problems correctly. If parents do continue the reward system with their kids, it disarms them for their arrival into school, and the real world
Personally I don’t think that it is wrong or harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering rewards or prizes. For instance, kids think that writing essays or reading books are boring and wastes their time, instead of playing. Although if they are offered a prize/reward for an assignment they would except. For example, kids like toys, money, and electronics depending on their ages. If a child gets a reward for completing the assignment they will make it the best one they have ever wrote, especially for a competition for the reward.
ReplyDeleteMainly children won’t do anything unless they get something they want out of it. The children that have to do chores, will only do them if they get possibly $5 from their parents when they are done. There are several different common ways and reasons why and how to get children to do something they don’t enjoy doing, for no reason but to learn. Just remember all children even adults are spoiled about work and what they get out of it. Motivation is the key.
Jonathan Meyer
ReplyDeleteBlog 5
I think that it is helpful and smart to reward kids as motivation. When kids have a goal in mind they will actually take steps to achieve that goal. When that goal is a reward it also motivates them to get further in knowledge and experiences. It seems like nowadays too many kids don’t care about school. Most people are like “Yo man I’m so popular I don’t care about school. I’m awesome!” This is such a horrible state of mind. Kids need to be motivated to learn and do things they need to do. If kids are offered rewards, I’ve observed that most are more likely to want to learn and do what is required to achieve that reward. For example, for football players and players of any sport, they need to have a certain grade to play. So for athletes, they need to have at least decent grades. Since most athletes care a lot about their sport, they are almost definitely going to keep up their grades so they can continue playing. This motivation of getting good grades to stay in a sport causes athletes to keep their grades up to a reasonable standard. The reward of playing a sport is an affective motivation for people who play sports to learn.
I remember in Elementary School I used to get a reward for getting good grades. My mom used to give me a dollar for each “A” I got on my report cards. Although 6 dollars maximum every several months isn’t a lot, I still had an extra motive to get good grades. For me as a young child, I wanted all of the money I could get and in any way possible. So, from this greed I found a desire to acquire the reward of money for grades. So I started trying even harder for better grades and it was a great boost in my learning and education. Now I don’t need this motivation to get good grades (and the deal is no longer active). Also, to do my chores my parents offered me a reward of 1 dollar per chore every week. This was not much money, but I definitely wanted the money. So that motivation for my reward caused me to do almost all of my chores each week. Now my parents offer me $20 to mow the lawn each week, and if my brother didn’t steal the opportunity I would definitely do it. Money is a great reward that can motivate people to get good grades, do work, clean, and much more.
Many people may try to argue that when people try to do things just for rewards then they don’t learn much in the process and don’t care about what they do, only the reward. To counter this I believe that no matter what, if someone does a task or learns information, no matter what they are doing for, they do it. When people learn and do homework and get good grades, even if they only car about getting a reward, such as money, they are still learning. They are still taking in information and are getting smarter. In the back of their mind they will still have and remember the knowledge they acquire, even if it’s not what they care about. So on the way to a reward the steps taken are remembered and permanently in people’s minds. Rewards are a great way to motivate people so that they learn, do work, participate, and so on. Rewards aren’t a negative way to motivate, but a positive and effective way to motivate.
I forgot to mention that too much reward isn't a smart idea, because it can spoil kids.
DeleteLandin Morris
ReplyDelete10/9/13
Blog #5
I do think that it is not harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering them rewards. I feel that earning a reward for achieving or learning something new acts as a motivation, and an encouragement. For example, my mother gives me five dollars for every A that I get on my report card. I’m already a hard working, and I stride for the best, but now knowing that I’m going to receive a reward for getting an A, I will try a little harder. Receiving the reward also motivates me because now I know that if I try hard and do my work, then it’s going to come back to me. It encourages me to put in hard work and make sure that I’m doing my best and working hard in anything that I’m doing. I believe that when you are rewarded for doing something, you feel more obligated to complete that task so you can receive your reward, whatever it is.
Another reason why I don’t think that it is not harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering them rewards is because that is actually how it is in modern society. For example, if you do well in school, and graduate from High School, you can expand your education and knowledge by going to college. Once you graduate from college you have a better chance of finding a career. People who don’t do well in High School or don’t go to college tend to have a harder time. I’m not saying that it is impossible to get a career without a High School or college education, but I’m saying that it’s a lot harder to achieve your on that path. People who have a high education tend to have sail through life easier because they have a better understanding of many things.
In my opinion learning and doing what your suppose to do are there own rewards. I think there should be no physical reward for doing something correctly. Although when rewards externally enter the child’s atmosphere whether it’s prizes from teachers, toys, money, or parents praise it influences the child in a positive way. If there is a prize for listening and there for doing the correct thing for a prize the child will not be behaving correctly for the good of it they will be behaving for the prize. There fore in that case the child will be do everything correctly for the sake of the prize. Another example is if the child reads for a prize he/she would not be reading for the greater good but for the great prize. Also in giving the child a prize his work quality will change. The child will work harder and work more diligent. For example my younger cousin always gets rewards for doing doing something correctly so he always expects a reward now. Soon he will learn he wont get a reward for doing thing and as a result his school grades will go from an A to possible a B- or even a C+/C. That will go for all his classes because he will not be trying as hard as before because there will be no motivation. If my cousin was more interested in the classes he will learn more and do greater in those classes. One day each child finds that one subject or class they like and then the reward is not necessary. Then the child will just do better and wont need the reward.
ReplyDeleteIf a child gets a reward for every great thing he does he will not learn anything. If he grows up to prizes and gifts he will learn when he is older theat there is no gift for everything. On the other hand if the child grows up to no prizes or gifts for doing thing correctly then he will no be use to getting gifts for every thing. He will try his/her best on every thing and wont ask for anything in return. There fore eliminating the child that always expects a prize. Now you are left with a child that will read just to learn. This child will also do everything out of the greatest of his/her ability. There fore I think giving a child a prize for doing something right is not teaching them anythink itis not making them learn anythink.In my opinion giving a child a prize for something is harmful to the child now andto his/her's future.
No, it is not wrong to get a reward every once in a while if you achieve something or succeed in something but I feel like someone should not get use to that feeling because in life you don't get everything you want. But if you get a reward for you parents, it teaches you that being successful sometimes you will get rewards. If parents get to over board with giving there kid rewards, then it will be bad for a kids mental health in my opinion to thing that they can always get something. Parents are suppose to ready their kids up for the real world, not give them anything they want every time the want it. but sometimes that's the case with people and there parents and they give kids the wrong idea.
ReplyDeleteMany parents motivate their children with gifts, such as money. For example I know a lot of people who get 10 or 20 dollars for every a they get on their report card. I don't think that using a prize to motivate someone is wrong to do. If the person that is getting the gift really wants it he or she will work at the top of their game to get the prize. I know when money is involved I work at my very best to get to the prize. I notice a big difference in my performance whether it be sports of school work when money gets involved. So no, I think it is a good thing if there are prizes involved, I think it only makes people better at what they are doing.
ReplyDeleteThere is also a downside to this though, People can start to get used to getting prizes. Once they start getting prizes the get used to it so once they stop getting prizes they get lazy. So if your only motivation is a prize I feel that, that is a bad thing, you should feel the need to do something anyway. You should want to make yourself better and if you only make yourself better because of a prize that is not a good work ethic. I feel that I should make myself better for the future and not just to get prizes now.
In my personal opinion, I believe that rewarding people with gifts will make them work much harder in order to earn the reward. As a kid, I used to work hard in school in order to get my reward. My reward for working entirely hard was my Christmas present. The harder I would work, I would get a much better Christmas. Motivating people with gifts can make them push and strive for the best. Everyone always expects something in return for their hard work. Usually people that do not receive gifts for their hard work end up getting tired of working really hard. Rewarding is a great way to make anyone of any age pumped to strive for the best. Toys are great for children, As for adult they expect money. Money is something that can make everyone work hard as long as they get a good amount. If a kid doesn't receive any type of reward, they end up slacking in school and they don't end up putting in hard work in their school work since they believe school work will not help them out at all in the future which is obviously wrong. Sometimes people end up getting tired of working hard but remembering that they will be rewarded for doing their job will motivate them a whole lot.
ReplyDeleteAlthough rewarding people to work hard may be a smart idea, it can be followed by certain cons. Sometimes people would want more rewards for working hard rather then getting one thing. They would end up getting spoiled and would want more whenever they would work hard. An example would be a kid getting money for doing good on a test. At the end of the quarter, they would want a whole lot more money for getting a great quarter grade. As a kid, I was lucky enough to get a Christmas present at then end of the year. I would always want either sport equipment, toys, and video games but I would only get like one or two things. I would understand that my reward will be my future self getting money for doing something that I love to do. People will end up thinking that they should only work hard for the rewards. They never think about the future. If one person ends up not receiving the gifts that they used to get, they would just give up on work. Besides that though, rewarding people to work hard can actually have them doing something productive and can motivate them to work faster than usual. So far, the Christmas present that I would get for working hard actually ended up making me realize that I don't need a gift just for doing school work or outside of school work. Gifts such as trophies for sports can actually motivate athletes to work hard so their talent can be spotted by certain recruits. I believe that rewarding people to do their work is a bright idea for them to work much more harder.
I think it is not harmful to motivate people to learn or achieve something by offering them rewards. I think it is better to offer awards to motivate people because it motivates children. For example, some parents motivate their children by offering 1 or 2 dollars to their child. The child then try their best in what they are being awarded in. Another example is when your an adult and your child is in school, if you offer to give him a toy car or a dollar if he does good o a test he will do all he can to try and get an excellent grade.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is harmful. A way it may become harmful is it you tell your child your going to award him and then you don't may cause him to loose his trust in you. It would be harmful in that way. It may cause him to not do good in school. He may not want to try anymore. You have to always keep your promise with your children.
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ReplyDeleteTo offer individuals prizes in order to make them learn and achieve something may or may not be harmful to the themselves. This situation depends on the goal in order to obtain the reward. Some people offer awards for the purpose of motivation to hardwork. Some agree that the most hard working individuals should deserve something to pay-off their effort. If there were competitions within an art club, and if the assignment was to create a work of art within a certain topic, the artist who puts in the effort of showing alot of texture, emphasis, balances, and many other elements in his work, would most likely draw attention to his or her work more that the artist who finished the work first but only present one element in a picture.
ReplyDeleteIn my certain opinion, the only way to harm people by offering prizes after accomplishing an assignment is solely to just have the work done without any further attempt to show any more work or effort. This movement can be seen as harmful to many careless individuals, or even the people who were led by the carefrees. Within many adults, some of them prefer having their children finish their homework with as much effort they can put in. Some parents wouldn't care whether their children got the answers right, as long as the work was done. Because of the careless adults, their children would catch the examples and then would believe that there is no need to be dedicated or disciplined through out their days, and through out their lives. Examples can be seen in everyday teenagers or even young toddlers. People became carefree more and more in every generation. Each generation will be influence by the previous ones because they're the one who shapes the conscience and dedication by their creation.
no i don’t think it is wrong to motivate people in education. i think this because in real life people get money for getting work. so doing that in education can work the same way. people will work hard to get big rewards. though the opposite for if they do nothing. if someone does nothing in work they get fired. in education people get punished/ grounded.
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