Talk:Foundations and Assessment of Education/Edition 1/Foundations Table of Contents/Chapter 11/11.5.2

Reader Responses
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I thought that this was a well written article that effectively compared intellectual and effort praise. I have found that a student reacts more positively to praise regarding individual effort rather than praise if something is correct. This is especially true if you have a very diverse learning environment. A student will remember positive praise for the effort he/she puts forth because it encourages them to continue to do their very best. Intellectual praise can pressure a student to "do well." If that student is not as successful as they would like or does not receive the intended praise, motivation will decrease. While both forms of praise are important, I believe that praise for effort is more effective. Acrow005 (talk) 19:33, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

This was a very informative read, but I've been thinking a lot lately about how some people, even in college level writing courses are praised by default for a lack-luster job. It's as if it has become socially unacceptable to tell someone that they need to work on something, or step it up. But I do think kids need to be rewarded for a job well done, and encouraged to do their best. Kids love it when someone takes note of their accomplishments. So do I... :o Hsmit022 (talk) 02:02, 1 August 2009 (UTC)

I agree with the overall thrust of the article, praise is an important tool within the classroom and should always be used with a conscious eye upon its effect on students. However, I found it a bit odd that an academic was quoted as saying, essentially, that self-confidence does not matter or make one more successful. That conclusion just seems empirically wrong. I am not a researcher, but common sense seems to dictate that the proper amount of confidence (I.E, not depressed and self-loathing, or to the point of being self-absorbed and pompous) would be greatly beneficial to a student rather than not factoring into the equation at all. BitterAsianMan (talk) 15:15, 1 August 2009 (UTC)

Interesting, I did not know the difference in praise so something new learned. I think that praise is good but too much could be harmfull to a student. It's like eating candy, you eat to much of it and there comes the stomach ache. I think that feedback is a better way to help students understand their own strenghts and weaknesses. This way they know what areas they need to work on for the future. I also think that it helps them become better rounded people. A students who grows dependent on the apporval of other people grow up to be insecure about their own decisions and when they amke a mistake in there adult life they take it harder then they should have. I beleive that a good amount of self esteem is built just like a strong sense of character. The people that can rely mostly on themselves are often the most risk takers and most of them very succesfyl.Bpenn005 (talk) 01:39, 2 August 2009 (UTC)

I think that feedback in general is important. It has to be effective and balanced. A teacher cannot constantly undercut a student and not recognize improvements, just as well as a teacher cannot constantly praise and not give constructive feedback. Too much praise would probably be as bad as too little praise. Alucy001 (talk) 01:26, 3 August 2009 (UTC)