Incentives and Reinforcements… What Works ? Presented by: Karen Rich December 14, 2010 Alexander County Schools

Participants will be exposed to the following topics: Motivation Learning Styles and Interest Relationship Building Using data Determining what incentives and reinforcements are best for your students Cautions and effectiveness of incentives Free and inexpensive incentives for students and staff

Value of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivators Spur higher academic achievement Improve school attendance Improve student behavior Increase students’ effort in and enjoyment of school Deter delinquency

Kids earning incentives will display a multitude of behaviors…. Oppositional Defiance Emotional Disturbances Attention Deficits Hyperactivity General Learner Kids with Academic Concerns

101 of Motivation 1. Explain 2. Reward 3. Care. 4. Have students participate. 5. Teach Inductively. …(By beginning with the examples, evidence, stories, and so forth and arriving at conclusions later, you can maintain interest and increase motivation, as well as teach the skills of analysis and synthesis.) i.e. role play 6. Satisfy students' needs. 7. Make learning visual. 8. Use positive emotions to enhance learning and motivation. 9. Remember that energy sells.

THE SIX C’s OF MOTIVATION What are they and how do you use them in the classroom and schoolwide?

CHOICE Give students the freedom to select from a range of topics or ideas. Let students submit their own topic ideas when the subject matter is not an issue Provide students with a variety of media choice by which to accomplish the task Collaboration with peers should also be an option. Application

CHALLENGE Set goals high, but not too high to become frustrating Provide opportunities for students to provide feedback on the level of difficulty Revise tasks according to feedback Break more difficult tasks into smaller more manageable pieces. Application

CONTROL Use the Democratic process when applicable Give students several options to choose from for class projects or allow them to submit proposals using their own ideas Give students the opportunity to self-evaluate Allow student input when deciding due dates – be firm yet flexible Application

COLLABORATION Encouraging students to share ideas enhances thinking and learning and provides inspiration. Definition

COLLABORATION Peer evaluation Collaborative pairs Jigsaw Activity – assign members to home groups and expert groups Allow students to teach to their peers Application

CONSTRUCTING MEANING Conduct individual or small group conferences to discuss the importance of the work that the students are doing. When learning certain tasks (i.e. learning to read, use a computer, adding or subtracting) have others demonstrate the importance of the skill in life. Application

CONSEQUENCES Displaying student work Entering student work in contests or competitions. Creating a performance for others Publishing student work Having a celebration when the work is completed. Application

Relationship building Get to know your kids (student interest inventories) Learn latest trends Show interest in their hobbies Be genuine Avoid sarcasm Be a positive role model Develop a positive climate in your classroom and school Follow and teach the school rules consistently

Determining what incentives to use with your students Student Reinforcement Inventories ) Select reinforcement which is age appropriate (Age level examples) Use “natural” reinforcement whenever it is effective.

Determining what incentives to use with your students Use reinforcement appropriate to the student’s level of functioning. (e.g., Don’t send a student for unsupervised free time in the library when he/she usually gets in trouble even when he/she is directly supervised. Make certain you have parental and administrative support for the reinforcement you plan you use. Always keep in mind what your goal is with reinforcers. What are we targeting?

Making Incentives More Effective Immediately-The longer the teacher waits to reinforce a student, the less effective the reinforcer will be (younger, severe disabilities). Frequently-It is especially important to frequently reinforce when a student is learning a new behavior or skill. (good job) Enthusiasm-pair an extrinsic motivator with an enthusiastic comment. Eye Contact-look the student in the eyes when give a reinforcer, even if the student is not looking at the teacher.

Making Incentives More Effective continued Describe the behavior-describe the appropriate behavior that is being reinforced. Anticipation-the more “hype” the teacher uses, the more excited students become to earn the reinforcer. Variety-A certain reinforcer may be highly desired, but after repeated exposure, it loses its effectiveness. Always make the most of opportunities to reinforce appropriate behavior. Be genuinely polite and courteous to you “tough kids” at all times and demonstrate concern and interest towards them. Learn to stay calm.

Free or Inexpensive Incentives Examples: (see attached) For Elementary Students For Secondary Students For Staff

Questions or Comments????