Mr. Lopez, a third-grade teacher, wants to enhance his students' intrinsic motivation to learn classroom subject matter. Three of the following strategies should accomplish this goal. Which one is not likely to enhance students' intrinsic motivation to learn?
A) Mr. Lopez explains that using quiet, "indoor voices" during a cooperative learning activity can help students accomplish their goals for the activity.
B) Mr. Lopez consistently shows students that he cares about their well-being and wants them to do well in his class.
C) Mr. Lopez promises his students that they can have free time at the end of the day if they do well on their spelling tests.
D) Mr. Lopez gives students the scaffolding they need in order to be successful at challenging tasks.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Promising students free time at the end of the day for doing well on a spelling test is an example of an external reward, which is not likely to enhance intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from within and is driven by an individual's interest in or enjoyment of a task, not by external rewards or punishments. The other three strategies - providing guidance for challenging tasks (D), demonstrating care for students' well-being and success (B), and providing guidance on how to achieve goals (A) - are more likely to enhance intrinsic motivation because they focus on building students' confidence, competence, and interest in the task at hand.

Mr Lopez, a Third-Grade Teacher, Wants to Enhance His Students