How is students' motivation to study affected? Feedback vs. grades

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject Education - Educational Tests & Measurements, grade: 2, University of Linz, language: English, abstract: Motivation plays a crucial role in students' performance. It is well known that not all students share the same amount as well as kind of motivation for the same tasks and activities. Also, not all teachers apply the same motivation strategy in their lessons as well as when giving grades and feedback for student performances. Whereas some teachers really struggle with a demotivated class, others are able to generate dynamics that benefit the whole class and help to even exceed expected results in performance. Why do some succeed while others struggle? What strategies are important for maintaining as well as developing students' motivation towards tasks and activities? In order to generate answers to these questions, this term paper focuses on the effect of feedback on students' motivation. In order to address the topic accordingly, in the beginning, the term motivation as well as the different kinds are explained. Then current theories regarding verbal and written feedback as opposed to letter and numeral grades are analyzed. Lastly, the findings are put in contrast with the current situation in schools.