Category: Course Outline

Analysis of Intrinsic Motivation

Deep Learning and Understanding:

• Pros: Internal drive frequently results in more profound involvement with the subject matter. Students who are motivated by their own curiosity are more inclined to pursue a deep comprehension, inquire about information, and relate new concepts to what they already know.
• Cons: A possible con is that students may concentrate so much on topics they like that they overlook less interesting but crucial subjects.

Sustained Engagement:

• Pros: Intrinsic motivation, fueled by internal satisfaction, typically results in prolonged involvement. Students are more inclined to persist in studying or honing a skill if they derive genuine pleasure from it, ultimately resulting in achieving expertise over time.
• Cons: It can be challenging for educators to promote intrinsic motivation across all subjects or activities that do not naturally captivate the learner.

Creativity and Problem-Solving:

• Pros: Students with intrinsic motivation are often more innovative and willing to experiment with different approaches. They tackle tasks by being curious and open to explore, leading to original ideas and inventive problem-solving.
• Cons: Internal motivation can lead people to become so engrossed in pleasurable tasks that they end up disregarding time, particularly when there are no external limits or deadlines.

Personal Growth and Autonomy:

• Pros: Internal motivation promotes feelings of independence and self-improvement. Students cultivate independence and belief in their capacity to control their own education, resulting in empowerment and the formation of lifelong learning behaviors.
• Cons: Internal motivation may not be enough in settings that require specific external accomplishments (such as passing tests or meeting industry requirements). Achieving a balance between internal and external factors is essential for overall growth.

Conclusion

Possessing an Intrinsic motivation is essential for promoting profound, significant, and long-lasting involvement in academia. If students are motivated by real interest and enjoyment, they can attain deep comprehension, pose important questions, and relate new information to what they already know. This form of support boosts inventiveness and uniqueness by allowing students to freely delve into and test ideas, without external rewards holding them back. Additionally, students who possess intrinsic motivation gain independence, confidence, and resilience. These qualities help them to participate in continual learning and face obstacles.

Yet, it can be difficult to cultivate intrinsic motivation, particularly in less interesting topics. Teachers should aim to establish settings that spark curiosity and offer chances for exploration and self-driven education, incorporating practical uses from the real world and promoting a mindset focused on growth. Although extrinsic motivators can be effective for temporary engagement, intrinsic motivation is crucial for a lasting and rewarding educational journey, which in turn fosters a long-lasting love for learning in students.

Readings/Videos/Podcasts

Understanding the Power of Intrinsic Motivation

What is intrinsic motivation? Definition and examples

Analysis of Extrinsic Motivation

Short-Term Engagement:

• Pros: Extrinsic motivation can be very efficient in the immediate term, especially for tasks that are not naturally fun. For instance, a student could put in a lot of effort to get a high grade or to be rewarded by their parents.
• Cons: This form of drive frequently results in shallow involvement. Students could prioritize memorization or task completion over grasping the material in depth to comply with extrinsic standards.

Dependence on Rewards:

• Pros: Using extrinsic rewards can act as strong motivators to start engaging in learning tasks, particularly when individuals are not initially interested in the topic.
• Cons: Relying too heavily on extrinsic rewards may lead to a situation in which people are reluctant to participate in the activity unless there is a reward offered. This may result in a decrease in long-term interest and drive once the extrinsic rewards are no longer present.

Performance Pressure:

• Pros: Certain students are driven by the desire to succeed and receive recognition, inspiring them to aim for their highest level of achievement and push their limits.
• Cons: This pressure can lead to emotions of uneasiness, tension, and fatigue. Students might value the outcome more than the journey of acquiring knowledge, potentially resulting in unethical behaviors such as academic dishonesty.

Impact on Creativity and Innovation:

• Pros: Extrinsic incentives can improve productivity in well-defined tasks with specific goals in certain circumstances.
• Cons: Extrinsic motivation often hinders creativity and innovation. When individuals are seeking a reward, they are less likely to take risks or engage in creative thinking, leading to obstacles in innovative problem-solving.

Conclusion of Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic motivation is crucial in fostering student involvement and achievement, particularly in activities that don’t immediately catch their attention. It successfully utilizes extrinsic benefits, like grades, praise, and tangible rewards, to motivate students to exert effort and reach particular objectives. Although extrinsic motivation may boost short-term engagement and performance, it frequently leads to surface-level learning as students prioritize obtaining rewards over comprehending the material. Relying on extrinsic rewards may decrease sustained enthusiasm and intrinsic motivation, eventually resulting in anxiety and exhaustion from excessive performance expectations.

In educational environments, extrinsic motivation can be a key factor in initiating and sustaining engagement, particularly in subjects or assignments that do not inherently capture students’ interest. However, to cultivate a thorough and enduring learning experience, it is crucial to merge extrinsic motivation with methods that fuel intrinsic motivation. Educators can help students achieve short-term goals and develop a lasting love for learning and a deeper understanding of the subject.

Readings/Videos/Podcasts

What Is Extrinsic Motivation and Does It Really Work?

Extrinsic Motivation: The Downside of Being a Goal Junkie

Extrinsic Motivation is often made of external, tangible and intangible rewards such as money, trophies, grades, praise from family  friends, or social recognition (fame). Extrinsic motivation arises from the outside of the individual. Such external factors compel an individual to engage in a task even though the person does not have the enthusiasm from within to engage in the activity, but just because of the prize at stake or the reward he or she may get, or to avoid being punished for not doing it. For example, Mr. Rice, studying and reading a course material because he wants to get a good grade (grade A). The good grade becomes the driving force behind his reason for studying and reading the course material, otherwise he would not do it.

Intrinsic Motivation can be described as the driving force from within a person. With this type of motivation, an individual engages in an activity or a task purposely for the fun, enjoyment or satisfaction it brings to the person, not the motive of getting any external reward. For example, Mrs. Rice, reading and studying a course material because she finds it fascinating and the utility value she derives from it. She engages with the material not for grades or for praise from anyone.

Extrinsic Motivation Example

Scenario 1: Extrinsic Motivation

Background: John, a student in high school, is enrolled in a chemistry course for this semester. He doesn’t enjoy chemistry and struggles to understand the concepts.

Situation: John has been promised a substantial reward by his parents for excelling in chemistry. They are aware that he is setting money aside for a new gaming console, and they promise to purchase it for him if he earns an A in the course. Moreover, John is exerting a significant amount of dedication to receive acknowledgment for his academic achievements by securing a place on the honor roll at his school to enhance his college admission prospects.

Action: John is driven by the potential of the gaming console and his goal of academic success, pushing him to allocate more time to studying chemistry. After school, he attends tutoring, completes his homework meticulously, and tackles extra problems to ensure comprehension of the material. Despite his lack of passion for chemistry, his determination to earn a gaming console and achieve recognition on the honor roll drives him to put in a lot of effort.

Outcome: John’s dedication results in him earning an A in chemistry. Receiving the gaming console and being on the honor roll from his parents both make him feel satisfied and confirm the importance of his hard work. If it weren’t for those external incentives, John wouldn’t have been as driven to succeed in that particular topic.

Intrinsic Motivation Example

Scenario 2: Intrinsic Motivation

Background: Emma, who works as a graphic designer, has always had a strong love for digital art. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring different artistic methods and trying out new styles.

Situation: Emma recently stumbled upon a set of online tutorials focused on advanced illustration techniques with a new software tool. There is no professional necessity or external motivation for her to acquire knowledge of this new tool; her current position does not require it, and there are no benefits or acknowledgments associated with becoming proficient in it.

Action: Motivated by her passion for digital art and a goal to enhance her abilities, Emma enthusiastically participates in the tutorials. Every night, she dedicates hours to honing the new skills, designing artwork, and experimenting with the functions of the software. She finds great satisfaction in learning and creating art. She posts her work on social media not to receive likes or praise, but because she likes engaging with other artists and receiving feedback to enhance her skills.

Outcome: Emma’s innate drive helps her to achieve a strong level of expertise with the new software. Witnessing the enhancement of her work quality and progress brings her a deep sense of achievement and happiness. She is driven by the pleasure and satisfaction she gets from the process of learning, without seeking external rewards or acknowledgment.

Readings/Videos/Podcasts

What to know about extrinsic motivation

Intrinsic Motivation: How Internal Rewards Drive Behavior

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: Difference & Best Practices