A Preliminary Research on Monetary Reward as Extrinsic Motivation in Long Term Task-based Learning

Abstract

Scholars have long noticed and analyzed the function of extrinsic motivation in learning. Findings were fruitful concerning this topic in and out of China in the past 20 years. Yet not much findings have been found about research on the function of monetary reward in a long-term learning activity with mass participation. This thesis is based on an interview about the role of monetary reward as a kind extrinsic motivation in a long-term English vocabulary competition carried out on an application in which attractive monetary reward is awarded to the high-achievers. It is found that sustained and stable monetary reward could strengthen the initiative of students in the long-term learning activity, but when the monetary reward becomes over attractive, it may bring about negative changes to the learners. The students may choose those learning contents which may bring them better monetary reward rather than contents which are conducive to their academic achievement, and they may reduce the study time of other courses and other activities in the same course, which leads to imbalanced academic development. It is suggested that the teachers should give sustained guidance in the whole activity and attach more importance to spiritual awards rather than depending on monetary reward alone. It is also suggested that teachers should be cautious when changing the rules and tasks and make sure the new rules or tasks are fair so as not to hurt the initiative of students.