In our American Studies class this past week, we were discussing the difference and importance of intrinsic motivation vs extrinsic motivation. Which one is better? Which one is more effective? And what does New Trier do to support each one? At New Trier, students can be inspired by music, theater, sports, parents or teachers, but not everyone is. In the inner city of Chicago, less and less people are being motivated to get good grades or graduate high school. This trend is also apparent in other big cities like New York City and even our country's capital, Washington D.C. Parents and adults are becoming restless with the loss of hope for the children. However, there is an idealistic view of motivation for the students created by the Harvard Education Innovation Labs. The idealistic thought of an extrinsic motivation became a pragmatic program called Green for Grade$ which grants 265,986 to students who get good grades.
This idea sounds... well, pretty sweet. But is it ethical? Some people believe this program is simply bribing students to do well, it doesn't enhance their love for learning. However, Mayor Daley and multiple others disagrees in a Chicago Sun Times article I recently read.
Mayor Daley brings up the North Shore and suburban students being treated the same way. Many parents will get their kids gifts or a trip somewhere to reward them for good grades. I know my parents would always take me out to my favorite restaurant or do something special for me, so why is this any different? The money being given to the students is another extrinsic motive to keep students in school, and eventually, teach the students how to be intrinsically motivated. Mayor Daley also says that the program is "Just an idea of celebrating their academic performance and hard work." The program itself is a private organization that not only strives for extrinsic and intrinsic inspiration but also finance budgeting. By awarding these students they learn how to budget their money sufficiently.
I think that this idea is going to help students a lot, and parents are already noticing a change in the grades and study habits of their children. Helping students be motivated is definitely idealistic and very difficult because you cannot make someone motivated, they have to learn it. However, the program is a very pragmatic way of dealing with the issue. It gives students tangible motivation that will (ideally) transfer to intrinsic inspiration.
(For more information)
This idea sounds... well, pretty sweet. But is it ethical? Some people believe this program is simply bribing students to do well, it doesn't enhance their love for learning. However, Mayor Daley and multiple others disagrees in a Chicago Sun Times article I recently read.
Mayor Daley brings up the North Shore and suburban students being treated the same way. Many parents will get their kids gifts or a trip somewhere to reward them for good grades. I know my parents would always take me out to my favorite restaurant or do something special for me, so why is this any different? The money being given to the students is another extrinsic motive to keep students in school, and eventually, teach the students how to be intrinsically motivated. Mayor Daley also says that the program is "Just an idea of celebrating their academic performance and hard work." The program itself is a private organization that not only strives for extrinsic and intrinsic inspiration but also finance budgeting. By awarding these students they learn how to budget their money sufficiently.
I think that this idea is going to help students a lot, and parents are already noticing a change in the grades and study habits of their children. Helping students be motivated is definitely idealistic and very difficult because you cannot make someone motivated, they have to learn it. However, the program is a very pragmatic way of dealing with the issue. It gives students tangible motivation that will (ideally) transfer to intrinsic inspiration.
(For more information)
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