Keeping your eyes on the prize : a study of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on student engagement in reading

Dublin Core

Title

Keeping your eyes on the prize : a study of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on student engagement in reading

Description

MS Ed: Teaching Literacy

Abstract

There has been much research conducted on the effectiveness of using intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation in the classroom for reading engagement. Arguments have been made to demonstrate the benefits and disadvantages of using both approaches as a means to motivate students to read. This study, conducted with 16 students from a Staten Island elementary school, seeks to answer the question, “Which form of motivation –intrinsic or extrinsic- appears to be more effective in producing a greater engagement in reading among students?”. The study took place during a four-week period, with two two-week phases of instruction. Phase One of the study used extrinsic motivation for reading instruction as students participated in a “Book Challenge” and received prizes for every five books read independently. Phase Two implemented intrinsic motivation by incorporating various hands-on activities into instruction that were related to the independent reading. “Bookmark Slips” were collected and tallied for each book read independently by the students during Phases One and Two. The results showed that the students collectively read more than double the amount of books in Phase One than in Phase Two. The total, mean, and median number of books read independently were much higher when extrinsic rewards were used than intrinsic motivation. The students showed more excitement for reading during both phases of the study when compared to their initial feelings regarding reading prior to Phase One. Limitations to this study included a lack of time and controlled-environment due to a demanding rehearsal schedule for an upcoming Holiday Show.

Creator

Landolina, Francesca

Date Accepted

2011

Contributor

Preskill, Stephen
Frumkin, Rhoda
Gazzard, Ann

Rights

U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this work. It is provided by Wagner College for scholarly or research purposes only. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder.

Is Part Of

Wagner College Electronic Thesis Collection

Format

application/pdf

Extent

117 pages

Language

eng

Type

Text

Identifier

Ed_2011_Landolina_Keeping

Citation

Landolina, Francesca, “Keeping your eyes on the prize : a study of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on student engagement in reading,” Wagner College Archives and Special Collections, accessed March 28, 2024, https://wagnercollections.omeka.net/items/show/15560.