Reply to Why academic awards for elementary aged kids are a bad idea.

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So you can't reward genuine hard work because the ones who aren't academic stars will get their feelings hurt? Millennials in a nutshell. [/quote]

Incorrect. You can reward genuine hard work.  But think to the awards ceremonies: What's being rewarded: is it really genuine hard work? What's not being rewarded (is some/much genuine hard work not recognized)? What is the impact of what and the way certain things are rewarded (this is an empirical question, not just a personally reflective or value question--look to real data)?  How is being rewarded, and is this the best way to get whatever results (intended or unintended) you value?[/quote]

My child is getting an academic award for his effort and enthusiasm this year in a subject. He already had some intrinsic motivation and the award seems to be helping him see this as a strength. He is not a child with a lot of strengths. What particularly should we be aware of as an issue?[/quote]

the award and otehrs like it just may rob him of his instrinsic motivation.  If students see the award as the end (oh the publis recognition, of the proud gushing parents), then they will shoot for more awards instead of what the awards were supposed to recognize.  That is how college honor students (who I assume once had intrinsic motivation and curioisty) end up in my office asking me what changes  they need to make to their reseaqrch projetc to get an A. They care so much about grades and awards. It is never an honors student who comes in and says "I have this hard resarch question but I can't figure out how to answer it it, can you help me?"[/quote]

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