3V: Motivation: An Inside Look

Motivation, in the dictionary means "the act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something : the act or process of motivating someone". In real life, motivation can mean many things to people. They could use it as a way to live life, to be motivated to do something worthwhile, or a way to reach goals. Personally, I think the meaning of motivation is to be inspired to do something that will be rewarding. People can motivate you, as well as rewards and/or something that is inspiring. I have some people that motivate me through some things, other times its for rewards, and sometimes it's even just for myself. I have a lot of different kinds of motivation in myself, and while you think there is just one kind of motivation, there is actually more to it than you think.

We are learning different types of motivation in INQ class, such as extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Having extrinsic motivation meaning focusing on a post-task reward for your action. A real life example of extrinsic motivation is if your parents tell you "If you get an A on your math quiz, I will give you $20." Then, a lot of students are more likely to focus on studying for the quiz and getting an A to earn that $20. Extrinsic motivation is best used with short term tasks and is effective if that task is measurable and concrete.

Intrinsic motivation, however means that you are focusing on a task that is personally rewarding. An example on this one is participating in a sport because you find it enjoyable or studying for a test because you personally want to do well.  In either one of two types, you are motivated to do something either way. Intrinsic motivation is an internal reward, while extrinsic motivation is external. So which one is better? Many people argue whether intrinsic or extrinsic motivation is best for students, so let's look at examples.

Extrinsic motivation:
1. External reward can increase interest in something the student had no interest in before
2. Extrinsic rewards can be used to motivate people to learn new skills and knowlege

Intrinsic Motivation:
1. Is rewarding personally without having to be motivated for it
2. Performing the activity without any desire of a reward 

A lot of people think that teaching students extrinsic motivation will have them to complete the task, but then they are only doing the task for the reward and not for themselves, and others think that intrinsic motivation is better because it is personally rewarding and there isn't really any hard work motivation involved. Take a look at the two, which one are you and which do you think is better? There is no right or wrong answer because both of those are great types of motivation, but have different outcomes. 

Another word I've learned in INQ class this week has been idiosyncratic, which I had to look up to understand what it meant in the sentence I was reading. It means " A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group." Another word I came across was pragmatic which means  "Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical."

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