Yet another study has found that threats of punishment is not a very effective motivating tactic.
You can read a summary of this new study at Science Daily, Teachers’ scare tactics may lead to lower exam scores.
And if you want to read about a zillion other studies that show the same thing, you can start at:
Surprise, Surprise — Study Finds Shouting At Children “creates further discipline problems”
Hi Larry,
I ran across your blog as I was looking for classroom management strategies to help me with one completely out of control class I have. I have to say that your articles were the first ones I came across that actually had strategies I will use in this class (i.e. not just writing names on the board…)
I work at Richmond High School in Richmond, CA…not sure if you’ve heard of it. Very urban, very challenging environment. I graduated from Stanford (which is very progressive) but it’s my first year teaching and I teach math to students who failed it last year. Thanks for linking me to some management ideas that can help me bring back my positive attitude and enthusiasm into the classroom!