Finding Motivation

I often hear teachers discussing the concerns of extrinsic rewards. How the student needs to do the activity, assignment or projects and just feel good about it (intrinsic reward), and they shouldn’t have to give them anything else. My response is this: Why do adults get extrinsic rewards, often rewarding themselves, but yet children/students, have to “feel good about their work” without rewards? Usually the response is, I don’t have extrinsic rewards….Oh yes, you do…that “mocha latte, the paycheck, the nice car, the new “gaget”, the lastest phone, the vacation “you need”, and on and on. Bribing the student “if you get this done, you will receive that” is a different arguement, and not for this post. Just be aware, that everyone has a “modiva” (a motive), and finding what motivates your students, even if it is extrinsic reward, is a valid way to promote students participation.