By Kelly Miller

What motivates you as a lifelong learner? When we talk about student motivation, the conversation often spirals into abstract debates -intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, or whether reinforcement in classrooms works at all. Yet when I reflect on what sustains my own motivation day to day, the picture becomes much clearer and much more practical.

Take the gym, for example. Historically, finding the drive to work out has been tough for me. Let’s face it: the gym can stir up discomfort and insecurities. And still, I go back. Why? Because the gym has mastered the art of reinforcement.

Reinforcement is everywhere there. Sometimes it’s hearing “good job” from a trainer. Sometimes it’s seeing my heart rate in the target zone. Other days it’s lifting a heavier weight than last week, running a little faster, or even just looking forward to the coffee I’ll enjoy afterward. What reinforces me shifts from moment to moment. The gym anticipates that variability and provides a steady stream of challenges, praise, prizes, live data, and tangible rewards to keep me going.

The lesson is simple: reinforcement isn’t static, and motivation isn’t either.

Learners aren’t exclusively “intrinsically” or “extrinsically” motivated – they’re both, and what drives them changes throughout the day. Reinforcement in classrooms, like in the gym, should be intentional, varied, and dynamic. It’s not a single system or a token economy, it’s a thoughtfully designed set of opportunities that respond to learner variability.

This means programming reinforcement into learning:

• Praise and attention to recognize effort.
• Opportunities for competition or personal bests.
• Tangible rewards or privileges.
• Choice and independence that build agency.

When reinforcement is systematic, frequent, and flexible, motivation thrives.

A Question for Educators

What lessons can we borrow from coaches and trainers when it comes to motivation and reinforcement? How are you intentionally building in varied reinforcement opportunities to honor the shifting needs of learners?

I’d love to hear your strategies and experiences.