Savanna Hoffman
Awards are a common feature of the education system, with internal awards being given by a post-secondary institution to its own students, and external awards being given by external organisations. While awards can motivate students and make them feel valued for their efforts, they can also have negative effects. This article will explore the pros and cons of internal and external awards for students and discuss whether they are an effective way to motivate students and encourage personal growth.
Characteristics of Internal and External Awards for Students
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Internal awards are given by a post-secondary institution to its own students. External awards are given by entities other than the student's school, such as private donors or organisations. |
| Application Process | Internal awards are applied for on the specific college or university website. External awards are applied for on sites such as StudentAwards.com and ScholarshipsCanada.com. |
| Criteria | Internal awards may be entrance awards to attract high-achieving students or athletes. External awards may have criteria reflecting the donor, such as requiring recipients to have overcome challenges. |
| Impact on Students | Awards can motivate students, recognise excellence, encourage perseverance, enhance college applications, and build confidence. However, they may also lead to competition, external validation, and a focus on rewards over learning. |
| Considerations for Parents | Parents should encourage children to reflect on achievements and attributes celebrated and those overlooked. They should teach that internal motivation is more important than external recognition. |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of external awards
While external awards can be a powerful tool to motivate students and enhance their academic performance, there are also drawbacks to this practice.
Pros of External Awards:
External awards can boost student engagement and motivation. They provide students with a tangible goal to work towards and incentivize them to put in extra effort and actively participate in the classroom. External awards can also promote good behaviour and enhance academic performance. Students may feel more inclined to follow classroom rules and exhibit positive behaviours when they know there is an external reward or recognition awaiting them.
Cons of External Awards:
One of the main concerns with external awards is that they can foster a competitive environment, turning classmates into rivals rather than collaborators. Students may become overly focused on chasing the award, neglecting their intrinsic motivation and joy of learning. This can lead to a "fixed mindset", where students believe their abilities are fixed and do not see the value in improvement or personal growth. Additionally, external awards may not always recognize the efforts of students who are consistent and trying hard but may not be top performers. This can result in feelings of inadequacy and discouragement for those who do not receive awards.
Furthermore, external awards can lead students to depend on external validation rather than developing internal motivation. Students may come to rely solely on awards as a source of self-worth, struggling to find motivation in their own efforts when external rewards are not present.
The impact of external awards on student behaviour and motivation is complex. While they can provide short-term incentives, it is crucial to balance these extrinsic rewards with intrinsic motivation to foster a genuine love for learning and long-term engagement.
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Pros and cons of internal awards
While the sources do not explicitly differentiate between the pros and cons of internal awards, they do discuss the benefits and drawbacks of awards in general. It is important to note that the effectiveness of awards in motivating students depends on a variety of factors, including the student's age, cultural background, and the specific design of the award system. Here is a discussion of some potential advantages and disadvantages of internal awards:
Pros of Internal Awards:
- Increased Motivation and Satisfaction: Internal awards can boost students' motivation and satisfaction, especially when they are connected to the students' intrinsic interests and values. When students are recognized for their efforts and progress, they are more likely to feel valued and develop a growth mindset, believing that their abilities can improve through hard work.
- Enhanced Identification with the Institution: Internal awards, when appropriately designed, can foster a sense of belonging and commitment to the school or university. Students may feel more connected to their educational institution and be more engaged in their learning journey.
- Encouragement of Positive Behaviour: Rewarding students for following classroom rules, displaying kindness, or exhibiting positive behaviour can incentivize them to continue performing well and contributing to a positive classroom environment.
Cons of Internal Awards:
- Dependency on External Validation: Overemphasizing awards can lead students to become overly reliant on external validation. This may hinder their ability to find intrinsic motivation and satisfaction in their work, potentially affecting their long-term growth and resilience.
- Competition and Comparison: Awards can create an environment of competition and comparison among students. This may turn classmates into rivals, fostering resentment and negatively impacting collaboration and relationships.
- Overemphasis on Outcomes: Award systems that solely focus on outcomes can neglect the process and the journey. Students may become overly focused on the reward, potentially hindering their creativity and willingness to take risks or explore areas outside their comfort zone.
- Unfairness and Exclusion: Award ceremonies that only recognize a select few students can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement among those who do not receive awards. This may negatively impact their self-worth and motivation.
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The impact of awards on student motivation
Rewards and awards can have a significant impact on student motivation, but the effects can be both positive and negative.
On the one hand, rewards can incentivise students to perform better in class and motivate them to strive for their best. Academic awards, for instance, can encourage a culture of excellence and perseverance. They provide tangible goals for students to work towards, fostering a competitive spirit. Rewards also suggest that a student's hard work is appreciated, encouraging them to feel better about the work they complete and promoting feelings of pride. This can lead to improved motivation and a more positive mindset.
However, there are also arguments that awards can be harmful to students. They can create a "fixed mindset", where students think their abilities are fixed and cannot improve if they don't receive an award. Awards can also lead to a dependence on external validation, causing students to struggle to find self-worth and motivation in their own efforts. Furthermore, awards can create competition among students, turning classmates into rivals and creating a need to be noticed. Students may also shift their focus from enjoying an activity to trying to earn an award, prioritising the reward over personal growth and learning. This can result in decreased creativity and a focus on 'high-probability plays' to ensure they receive the award.
Overall, while awards can provide short-term motivation for students, the potential negative impacts on student mindsets and relationships mean they should be used with caution. It is important to consider the potential impact of awards and to encourage students to reflect on their achievements and find internal motivation.
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How awards influence student behaviour
Awards can influence student behaviour in several ways, both positive and negative. On the one hand, awards can serve as powerful motivators for students, encouraging them to strive for excellence and recognise their hard work and dedication. They provide tangible goals for students to work towards, fostering a competitive spirit and promoting a culture of perseverance. Academic awards, in particular, can strengthen college applications and showcase a student's abilities, talent, and dedication.
However, awards can also have negative impacts on student behaviour. They can create a culture of competition, turning classmates into rivals rather than friends, and fostering resentment towards those who are more successful. Awards can also lead students to become dependent on external validation, causing them to seek approval through awards rather than finding self-worth in their own efforts. This can result in feelings of inadequacy and discouragement for those who don't receive awards, fostering a "fixed mindset" where students believe their abilities cannot improve.
Additionally, external rewards may only provide short-term motivation, and once the desire for the reward fades, the desired behaviour may not persist. Awards can shift students' focus from enjoying an activity to merely trying to earn the award, prioritising extrinsic factors over intrinsic motivation. This can hinder their academic performance and their ability to engage in activities for the joy of learning and personal growth.
Overall, while awards can influence student behaviour by providing motivation and recognition, it is important to consider the potential negative impacts and encourage students to reflect on their achievements and find internal motivation. Praising students for their effort and progress, rather than solely focusing on the final results, can help foster a growth mindset and encourage students to value their own improvements.
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The application process for internal and external awards
On the other hand, external awards are administered by external agencies and organizations outside of the university. At UBC, students are encouraged to seek out external awards to further fund their studies. External organizations may require proof of enrolment and the cost of tuition before funding is sent to the university. Students must communicate with the external award donor to ensure their award is forwarded to the correct office with their student information before the tuition payment deadline. It is important to be aware of the terms and conditions of the external agency to keep the award funding. If a student withdraws or does not fulfill the external agency's requirements, they must contact the external agency directly to arrange for possible repayment.
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Frequently asked questions
Internal awards are given by a post-secondary institution to its own students. They can be entrance awards for students who have applied to attend the college or university. External awards are given by organisations or individuals outside the institution.
Internal awards can be used to entice high-achieving students to attend a particular college or university. They can also be used to reward students who have overcome challenges to be there.
External awards can motivate students and influence their behaviour. They can also promote feelings of pride and encourage students to complete their work.
External awards can lead students to depend on external validation and may cause feelings of inadequacy if they are not received. They can also shift students' focus from enjoying an activity to trying to earn the award.
Yes, parents and teachers can encourage self-reflection and praise students' efforts and progress, rather than just their results.
