Extrinsic rewards for children in schools is seen by some as being detrimental to student learning, as they are seen to be 'ego-related' rather than 'task related' and do not necessarily reward learning. Hattie (1999) argues extrinsic rewards for students is a less effective form of feedback than other forms of feedback. As a result, some schools have taken away or limited extrinsic rewards. Certificates and stickers are considered a 'no-no', as students are supposed to focus on intrinsic rewards and other, more appropriate forms of quality feedback.
After having read a significant amount of literature focusing on effective feedback, I can understand how extrinsic rewards won't necessarily enhance learning for the sake of learning. However, is it really necessary to go to the extent of doing away with things like stickers and certificates altogether? Is a sticker on a child's piece of work really going to have such a major detrimental effect? Isn't it good to recognise a student's achievements? Even most adults like some recognition for a job well done. Or are these comments coming from a person who is fully indoctrinated into the receiving of extrinsic rewards, after having been educated in such a system?!!??!!?
My nieces bound up to me on occasions with a certificate they received at school and they are so proud and excited and I think it's great! At ages eight and five years, I certainly don't get the impression that their whole self-esteem rests on whether they get a certificate or not!!?? I guess time will tell - if they end up getting therapy later in life or roaming the streets with no job, maybe we'll trace it back to the 'certificate giving' and it will show that I got it wrong!!?? I certainly don't think that extrinsic rewards need to be given out for the sake of it or just to make a child feel good, but once in a while to recognise good learning, what's the harm?? I am also a teacher that gives out the odd little chocie bar here and there too though, so maybe I need to be educated in the way of 'political correctness'?? Actually, on second thoughts, that doesn't sound like much fun at all!!
Your thoughts on the topic?
Thanks,
Ange
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hey there Walters. Even my cynical 12 & 13 year old students comment on which particular sticker they get on their work and compare them against each others.
ReplyDeleteSticker the world...how can it hurt?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback. Your comment made me think Terry, about the fact that maybe personality plays a role in a child's perception regarding the significance of extrinsic awards. While some students get really caught up on it, for others (on the surface anyway) it doesn't appear to be a major issue - they don't get hung up on the size of the sticker. In fact, to some it is no big deal at all. So does that mean that we should get rid of stickers and certificates and the like altogether to appease a group of students rather than the majority?
ReplyDeleteThere is also the argument that students need to experience failure and success, as in the supposed 'real world'(when they leave school)it isn't as forgiving as in a primary school classroom. If students can't deal with the fact that another child gets a bigger sticker than them, how are they going to react later in life when another colleague gets a promotion ahead of them etc...?? Food for thought??