Daniel Pink video on Motivation

I found this video very interesting and thought provoking.  The candle and tac experiment along with the reward systems that were offered surprised me.  First of all, the people that were offered the highest incentive did the worst. This restricted creativity.  The old ways of "if…then…principal" can be effective in a narrow range of behaviors but this is an external motivator.  External motivators always lose effect.  This is why classroom incentives don't always keep kids motivated.  My experience in working at a psychiatric hospital where kids were hospitalized for sever behaviors showed me that extrinsic motivators do NOT keep their effectiveness.  In schools we offer more and more rewards and incentives or threaten with punishments or bad grades.  

The 2nd time they gave the test they made one simple change and took the tacos out of the box and the test became easy.  One simple move made the task easier.

Mr. Pink used scientific evidence to show that intrinsic motivation is necessary for long lasting change. the reasons he gave were:
1. Autonomy: urge to direct out own lives
2. Mastery-the desire to get better and better at something that matters
3. Purpose-yearning to do what we do …contributing to something larger than ourselves.

We all have passions.  When we tap into that and explore that passion amazing results follow.  Imagine if we guided/coached/taught/mentored our children into finding their passion/utilizing their strengths and interests…what they would accomplish.

Google allows their employees 20% of work time to be creative and use however they choose.  It amazes me that half of their products are birthed at that time.  Wow…. a new mindset…a new way of thinking… no pressure just sharing passion with a team of like minded individuals and results that are benefitting the majority!

This concept is where I want to grow in the area of my thinking and the classroom.  I want to have a time set aside for the kids to explore, create, research what they are interested in.  I don't want this to be a wasted time.  I would have to have guidelines, a framework, some guided teaching in this area and accountability.

I also want to have access to technology that will support what I am supposed to be teaching in the classroom…that can assess where each student is and monitor their progress…also evaluate and sure the information online.  In a few easy steps.  :)

I do believe each student has a purpose that goes beyond getting an a on a timed math sheet.  His purpose is bigger than the classroom or what I could even begin to know or explain to him.  However, I can provide an environment that inspires him, encourages him, and challenges him to do do moe than he could ever imagine!  I do intentionally communicate to my students their value, potential for great thinking and great ideas and that their voice matters.