In today’s education system, motivating students to put in their best effort and excel in their studies is a challenge faced by all educators. In search of a solution, many schools and universities are turning to unconventional incentives such as gift cards for campus stores or local businesses. Is the practice of rewarding kids with gift cards a genuine solution to inspire learning? Let’s delve into the pros and cons of this idea.

The Benefits

1. Immediate Gratification: In an age where students are used to receiving instant feedback, gift cards can provide a powerful incentive for good performance. With the ability to obtain something they desire right away, the motivation to perform well is enhanced.

2. Customizable Rewards: Gift cards come in various denominations from numerous retail outlets or online platforms. This allows the teachers or administrators to tailor their rewards for each student, ensuring a fair system and avoiding any potential bias.

3. Boosting Self-Esteem: Receiving a gift card could contribute positively to a student’s self-esteem, reinforcing the idea that effort begets achievement. This positive reinforcement can fuel further progress in learning.

4. Engaging Reluctant Learners: For students who struggle academically or show signs of disinterest in traditional education methods, gift cards could be used as an effective tool for boosting overall engagement and interest.

The Drawbacks

1. External vs Internal Motivation: While gift cards may offer an initial boost of external motivation, it may not necessarily cultivate internal motivation – such as curiosity, love for learning, persistence – that is needed in the long run to help students develop lifelong learning habits.

2. Moral Hazards: The use of material incentives might stir up negative emotions such as envy or jealousy among students who don’t receive these rewards. Furthermore, it can also encourage dishonest behaviour such as cheating just to win these prizes.

3. Sustainability: Gift cards can be expensive for the education system, putting a strain on already strapped resources. Moreover, it potentially fosters an unhealthy dependence on external rewards amongst students.

4. Potential Legal and Ethical Issues: There are potential legal and ethical factors that schools must consider when implementing reward systems, such as ensuring fairness and non-discrimination in student treatment, as well as being mindful of potential conflicts of interest.

Conclusion

The use of gift cards as a method to motivate students is still a growing and debated topic. While it has its benefits, it also has drawbacks that may not lead to effective or long-term motivation. Therefore, it’s crucial for institutions to weigh the pros and cons carefully before adopting the practice. It would be prudent to explore other ways of inspiring learning by incorporating different teaching methods and focusing on nurturing internal motivation in order to equip students with the skills required for lifelong success.