The Failing of Incentive Systems in Classroom Settings: A Focus on Students Who Seldom Require Them

In the education landscape, incentive systems are often viewed as a silver bullet to enhance student engagement and motivation. However, there is a critical flaw in these systems: they may fail certain students, particularly those who have never relied on such structures. This article delves into this issue, exploring the nature of the learning curve, the effectiveness of incentives, and the proper implementation of such systems in educational settings.

Understanding the Learning Curve

The learning curve is a graphical representation of the difficulty encountered by someone learning to operate a new task or technique. It is marked by an initial slow start, a peak of rapid improvement, followed by a leveling off at the highest achievable proficiency. Educational theorists have employed this concept to explain learning dynamics in various environments.

In comparison, the effectiveness of incentive systems follows a different trajectory. These systems work best at the onset of learning or behavior modification but experience a rapid decline in effectiveness as familiarity sets in. This is exemplified by traditional incentive methods. For instance, using candy as a reward during early stages of learning may motivate students initially. However, this incentive loses its effectiveness as the peak of performance is reached and the novelty wears off. For instance, a teacher might start with MM’s to get autistic students to maintain eye contact, gradually moving up the value range, but this strategy falls short in the long run due to its monotonous nature and eventually loses its motivational impact.

Incentives and Personal Value

It is essential to recognize that not all incentives behave like the MM’s. Every individual has unique motivators, which are influenced by factors such as personal preferences, circumstances, and age. For example, paychecks and raises are powerful motivators for adults, while grades and prizes can significantly enhance student motivation in educational settings. The critical aspect is to identify what each individual values and use that to create effective incentive systems.

During my tenure as a high school English teacher, I observed the effectiveness of a no-grades system. For inclusion classes, which mixed regular education students with special needs students, a chart-based incentive system worked well. This system allowed students to earn points for ungraded assignments that could be exchanged for various privileges. College-bound students sometimes chose to improve their quiz grades, while lower-functioning students prioritized bumping down their quiz grades or replacing zeros. This approach recognized the individual value of each student and tailored the incentives accordingly, ensuring a higher engagement level among all participants.

Key Elements of Effective Incentive Systems

To ensure the successful implementation of incentive systems, certain criteria must be met:

Relevance: Incentives should be reasonable and not involve inappropriate behaviors. For instance, it is unreasonable to pay a child for work that is part of their assigned tasks. Measurability: Incentives must be concrete, measurable, and directly tied to specific actions or behaviors. A simple point system for ungraded assignments is an example of a measurable incentive. Objectivity: The incentive system should be based on a clear, objective rubric that is applied consistently and without bias. This ensures that the system is fair and transparent. Preferences: While modern incentives might avoid traditional candies, considering individual preferences and ensuring the safety of all students is crucial. For instance, using a variety of small rewards or activities that cater to different interests can be more effective and inclusive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while incentive systems can be highly effective in enhancing student motivation, it is important to recognize that they may not work equally well for all students. Understanding the learning curve and adapting incentives to meet individual student needs is key to ensuring that these systems are both effective and fair.