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Incentives and Student Learning

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Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning

Synonyms

Encouragement; Inspiration; Provocation; Reason to learn

Definition

Generally, incentives for learning can be defined as an inducement or supplemental reward that serves as a motivational device for intended learning. What kinds of incentives, especially financial, improve student learning? This question is salient worldwide, but particularly in the USA where, despite being the richest of the 41 OECD countries, US students’ math, science, and reading abilities rank them in the middle and below that of the OECD countries (Fryer 2010, p. 3). The American student high school graduation rate of about 70% is low compared to OECD countries, with students in urban areas faring much worse (Education at a Glance 2007). Within the USA, a stark Hispanic/black-white learning gap persists, with rates of underperformance roughly twice as high for minorities as for whites. Colleges, universities, and employers report that too many high school graduates do not possess the basic skills and...

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Correspondence to Wayne A. Grove .

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Grove, W.A., Hadsell, L. (2012). Incentives and Student Learning. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_156

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_156

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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