I tend to get the idea that vocational schools have a reputation of being out-dated and aimed toward underachieving students. While that may be true (or may not be), I think there is a lot of value in the concept of vocational education. Toya made a very good point when she said that it is something that should be optional.
We discussed in another class that a criticism of vocational education is that we cannot expect students to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. I definitely see how this is relevant, but I think there is still a lot to be said for teaching our students in a way that interests them. If I am a student who does not succeed in the "normal" classroom setting, but I am activey engaged in a vocational setting, I am going to learn more. Even if I do not stick with that particular vocation for the rest of my life, I still gained experience and learned more than I would have in a classroom.
I also wanted to address the idea of incentives. I feel like I may have been a little misunderstood in class today. Incentives can be anything. For a child with a mom and dad who both work all the time, the incentive could simply be a promise to spend a Saturday with the whole family. It could be a lollipop. It could be anything.
The point is most children are not motivated by "learning for the sake of learning." We may wish that were the case, but we have to be realistic. If you tell a 7-year old to learn his times tables because he will need them when he is an adult, that is too far out of sight. If you tell him you're going to put a gold star with his name on it in the hallway when he learns his times tables, he has a more present incentive. I do not think there is anything wrong with offering incentives, as long as they lead to a desirable end result.
I also think it is very important for incentives to remain appropriate. If a parent gives their child $100 every day to study every night, the child will always expect some sort of bribery, in all areas of their life. However, if a parent says "we'll go to Cedar Point this summer if you only get A's and B's on your report card," the student may gain a better understanding of how working hard in many areas of life can lead to a positive aggregate outcome.
Thank you for your thoughts on vocational or pragmatic education. Students do need motivation to learn and this is why I was not surprised to see the high school history so pragmatic in scope. "Why should I learn this?" is a valid question from our students. We must have an answer that hopes to engage them, that finds meaning in their own experience. It is not easy to make a connection with every student in your classroom, and some educators say it may be impossible. But if you strive to make that connection periodically throughout the year with each student, then the success of the class and the value of the subject matter will go beyond the confines of mere curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this post, Chrissy. I thought it was interesting, the idea of incentives, because I knew so many people in high school and college who were compensated for good grades and good performance in their respective sports. (Although I was included in this during my senior year of college, I am convinced that my dad was merely pushing me to reach my ultimate goal of All-American and simultaneously help give me a little extra cash to get through the year. This was post-divorce with my mom, so I am dismissing it because I considered myself mature to know the difference at this point. SIDE TRACKED. PHEW.) Anyway, I knew students who got $20 for each A on their report cards. Where was my money? I was getting EXCELLENT grades and all I heard from my parents was "well, what about that B+?" or nothing. It was expected. And I was not to expect anything in return. These students were the ones who had a lot of freedom outside of school. I still had the lovely 11pm curfew, no sleepovers, breath tested when I got home at night. But, I turned out just fine. The others, however, were expectant of the extra $, the freedom, the sense of control over their superiors. It filtered into other aspects of their lives. They are also the type who is RARELY intrinsically motivated. So how do we get everyone to BE intrinsically motivated. I argue that it is not up to one person to determine this. It's everyone.
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissy
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your perspectives on vocational education. I myself went to a vocational school as an adolescent, thinking that it might be a good way for me to get into a job while I was going to college. I went to my vo-ed school half day, and my regular high school half day. I learned so very much about myself. I learned that understanding your interests is a lifelong process. I was in no position to know exactly where I wanted to go, but I did know that I could try different things and find out. I think that experience has continued to shape me today. I appreciate you bringing this to the table, and am glad that it is something we discuss in modern education today.
I totally agree with you, Chrissy!
ReplyDeleteVocational schools are a great option for many students. It is true that not all students want to go to college right away. Many students have hard time deciding what to do for the rest of their lives. Vocational schools may help students to learn more about a particular job and as a result may get a good experience in a particular field. However, it is also true that most careers and well-paid jobs require a college degree. Moreover, with today’s economy, the employers are more likely to hire someone with the college diploma.
I also agree that there is nothing wrong with offering incentives, especially to the young children, if they are not too frequent and appropriate. I think that parents or caregivers should not offer money as praise. It makes children spoiled and materialistic. However, word praise, a “great job” sticker got in class, a day spent together in a water park or a favorite game is more encouraging and more effective. Small incentives keep children motivated and make learning more pleasurable.
Chrissy, I agree with you that using incentives as rewards is still an acceptable educational practice. Young children need concrete reinforcement for their successes during a school day. Eventually these reinforcers should become verbal in nature, and later they should become internalized. The problem may be that some teachers only use incentives as the main part of their motivational program.
ReplyDeleteChrissy!!! I love the post. Incentives are big topic, whether it should be used or not. I think as long as a teacher has and understanding when and when not to use incentives then it is fine.
ReplyDeleteChrissy,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with what you have to say, Incentives are a great way to motivate students, as long as it is done the right way, which you did mentions. The only thing i see is that later on the student needs to motivate themselves for certain goals. There is a time when a child must grow up and maybe the incentives might be long term, maybe too long term for them to see that. I believe the incentives should be to create a positive study habits, being responsible, more than on the immediate goal.