The issue of extrinsic motivation is a pretty complex one. When the motivation comes from outside the student, driven often by the desire to receive some reward or avoid some sort of punishment (such as grades, stickers, or teacher approval), the student is extrinsically motivated. The use of rewards, prizes, incentives, consequences, and punishments are certainly common practice in schools. And the work people do in the real world is often regulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. But there is also evidence that a focus on punishments and rewards can be counterproductive to learning. Turns out that here are different kinds of extrinsic motivation and each can either improve learning or shut it down.

These posts explore productive and counterproductive types of extrinsic motivation:

• Extrinsic Rewards – Productive or Counterproductive – Part 1
• 5 Reasons to Avoid Rewards and Other Extrinsic Motivators
• 4 Reasons We (Try To) Use Extrinsic Motivators
• Counterproductive Extrinsic Motivation: Avoid Bribery Rewards
• An Extrinsic Motivator So Good It Should Be Your Secret Weapon

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