Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation in Education
Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic Motivation is when we are motivated to do something for an external reward. For example, we learn our times tables to get a star from the teacher. Or we work hard in a course to get a certificate.
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation is when we learn for our own personal reasons, because we are interested in something, because we find it enjoyable, because it is an area of study we want to know more about. Intrinsic motivation is, therefore, more important when we are encouraging people to learn. If a student only learns course material to pass an exam, it is likely that they may forget that information shortly afterwards. But if someone wants to pass the exam, but also is interested in the topic they are studying and wants to know more, they are likely to recall that information afterwards, because it is important to them.
Muscle Memory
When we learn to swim, or ride a bike or use a particular piece of equipment, it tends to become part of our muscle memory. Muscle memory is a form of procedural memory. We do the actions over and over again until it becomes second nature and we can do it without really thinking about it. This is why we are likely to be able to do things, like riding a bike, years later as we have retained the memory of performing the actions over and over again.
Repeating something over and over again is, therefore, an important way of learning, particularly when it is a physical task.
But when we are learning information, repetition can help us to remember something, but to remember it even better, we need to be intrinsically motivated to learn it.
Long term success in learning and education comes from strong, deep learning that is sustained through life; but we cannot fast track learning if we want the student to maintain their learning in the long term.
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[01/05/2024 04:10:53]