Rewards convey information about one’s skill or competence when they are linked to actual performane or progress, such as when teachers praise students
for learning new skill or acquaring new knowledge.
2
John W. Santrock goes on to point out that classroom rewards can be useful, theya are: 1. as an incentive to engage in tasks, in which case the goal is to
control the students’ behavior, 2 to convey information about mastery.
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Referring to the statements above, when reward is given by the teacher, the student can assosiate acting and behavioring in feeling of happiness and
usually make them doing something countinously. In other side, reward has purposed to make the student does everything more dillegent to correct ot to
increase the score.
2. The Purpose of Rewards
Rewards can be an effective way to encourage students to begin tasks or material that initially motivate students become involved in these task or material,
other factors like interest and challenge can influence motivation. According to Soejono 1980:62 giving rewards by teacher has education
value and purposes, there are:
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1. Giving rewards can increase the better norm of students’ behavior
2. Giving rewards can maintain and expand the students’ behavior
3. Giving rewards are indicators of increasing competence
4. Rewards give the good situation to students in classroom
5. Giving rewards can make the students eager to learn material.
2
Dale H. Schunk, Paul R Pintrich and Judith L. Meece, Motivation In Education; Theory, Research, and Applications,
Columbus: PEARSON, 2008, Third Edition, p. 261.
3
John W. Santrock, Educational Psychology, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004, Second Edition, p. 421.
4
Ag,. Soejono, Pendahuluan Ilmu Pendidikan Umum, Bandung: CV Ilmu, 1980, p. 62
3. Types of Rewards
In study of behaviorism the students learn that reinforces increase behavior with praise, high test scores, and grade being common reinforces,
because they are ends that result from students effort. Although the use of rewards is controversial, it is still common. Some
examples of rewards used in elementary classroom include: a.
Approval, such as teacher praise or being selected as a class monitor. b.
Consumable items, such as candy or popcorn c.
Entertainment, like playing a computer game d.
Competition, like being the first to finish a game or drill In middle and secondary school classroom, rewards include:
a. High test score
b. Teacher compliment delivered quietly and individually c.
Phone calls to parents or others care givers complimenting student work or attitudes.
d. Free time to talk to classmates.
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B. Punishment
1. The Definition of Punishment
According to Lester that punishment is applied following a desired action, as when a student is punished after coming forward to admit cheating on
an examination.
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The student may also associate the punishment with being honest rather than with the original offense. The result may be that the student learns not to tell
the truth. According to Ray Flora that the way to reduce perceived need
punishment and the way to reduce illegal and destructive behavior is to increase reinforcement for achievement.
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5
Paul Eggen and Don Kauchak, Educational Psychology: Windows on Classrooms, Columbus: Merril Prentife Hall, 2001, Fifth Edition, p. 413
6
Lester M. Sdorow and Cheryl A. Riekabaugh, Psychology, Mc Graw Hill: Liblary of Congress in Publication Data, 2002, fifth edition, p. 177
