1) Students end up believing that learning is not an enjoyable activity because otherwise, why would they need to be rewarded for doing it? We seem to have forgotten that we were born curious, that we were always asking our parents questions, that we like to know. Author Alfie Kohn, “Drawing from hundreds of studies, demonstrates that people actually do inferior work when they are enticed with money, grades, or other incentives.” (source) In these extrinsically driven environments, current and future learning are greatly diminished. The most powerful learning attribute–attitude–takes, what for many, becomes a lethal hit.

2) Schools, through the belief that people are, at their core, extrinsically motivated, neglect to notice how many valuable learning opportunities are being created and shared by others for absolutely no other reason than it feels good. It feels good to learn, to know, to share, and to be deeply involved with one’sinterests–especially in the company of like-minded others. It’s because of this love that Wikipedia, through volunteerism, has outpaced all other encyclopedias (which, btw, lost the race using money, an extrinsic motivator). Holding a world view that others are unlikely to share their expertise or assist in various ways unless they are paid, schools continue to restrict and ignore access to rich learning sources outside of their domain.

Ik bevind me in goed gezelschap, lees de hele post!