Jensen Chapter 15 Motivation and Rewards. By. Mike Scharfenberg, Zach Torro, Mike Avenoso and Frankie Mandile.

Learned Helplessness

Learned Helplessness• Children who suffer from learn helplessness tend to make bad

choices as opposed to good ones. • Progressed over a long period of time.• Even if the child is intelligent, it can still effect their

performance in the classroom. • Students don’t see an importance with the material they are

learning because they believe there is aren't any external rewards from learning the material.

• Examples:• Not caring what happens, giving up before starting, depression

and anxiety and not following directions. (Jenson 114)

Learn Helplessness • Probable causes of learn helplessness: • Large amounts of stress• Inherited from society • Haunted by previous failures In the classroom • Seeing others fail in the class room• Witnessing tragic world events• Parents or teachers doing the students work for them.

Learned Helplessness

Changes in the Brain:If one has learned helplessness here are some example of changes in their brain. - Decline of norepinephrine production ( stimulates arousal system)

- GABA (Neurotransmitter) decreases in the brain and is responsible for lowering anxiety.

- Serotonin and Dopamine is not produced as often. Is also known as the (feel good neurotransmitter).

Learned Helplessness

Ways to break the cycle of learned helplessness. - “learned optimism” - Student receiving positive feedback- Being involved in the community - Finding a hobby - Helping out whenever possible (Ex. household chores)- Participating in sports, theater or music programs

Learned Helplessness

-Excessive Praise is Detrimental, and can lead to…..- Depreciation of self confidence- Motivation to learn decreases- lowering of self esteem

- The more you praise a student, the more their anxiety increases due to the fact that you are giving them unrealistic standards. - Praising a student too much makes them stray away from their

ingenuity

Examples of good feedback: feedback should be a combination of negative and positive and feedback should be directed about the task at hand.

Motivation and Rewards

Motivation and Rewards • We all have both Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. • Intrinsic- Self motivation. Extrinsic- Motivation from someone

other than yourself.

- Factors that contribute to decreasing intrinsic motivation…. - Manipulation - Negative relationships- Racism, sexism and prejudice - Inadequate leadership role

- Factors that contribute to decreasing extrinsic motivation…. - Bribing students

Motivation and Rewards

The Detrimental Effects of Rewards.-Some examples of the ways in which rewards negatively effect students….

- The reward could create a feeling of manipulation for the student.

-The reward makes the student become distracted from the lesson being taught.

- Devalues the task given by the teacher due to the fact that the student is getting bribed.

Motivation and Rewards.

Strategies for Eliciting Intrinsic Motivation -A few examples of strategies that elicit intrinsic motivation are…

- Meets learners needs and goals- Provide a sense of control and choice- Encourage and provide for positive social bonding - Support a sense of curiosity-Engage strong emotions

(Jensen 122-123)

Motivation and Rewards

Rewarded Actions Lose Appeal-When rewards are first given they are effective because they are a new stimulant to the brain, but over time they lose there effectiveness.

QUESTION? Should you ever use rewards?

Alternatives for Bribery and Rewards

Alternatives for Bribery and Rewards- If the lessons relate to the student or students then they will

in turn learn more due to the fact that the material has personal value.

- It’s acceptable for students to get a reward once in a while, but if rewards are used too frequently then they become a bribe.

Alternatives for Bribery and RewardsWhat the Reward Proponents Say (Jensen 127-128) 1. Rewards are necessary (false) 2. The studies on intrinsic rewards are theoretical only (false)3. Rewards are harmless (false)4. The real world uses rewards (sometimes true)5. Rewards are effective (sometimes true)

Goal Setting Increases Performance -Two types of goals are beneficial for the students:

-Extrinsic and intrinsic goals-Extrinsic goals are given through teachers or guidelines presented by the government (state and federal)-Intrinsic goals are made by each respective student and are more effective due to the fact that they are personalized for each student

-Each student can monitor their own success and compare what they have done to their goals