FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What type of praise has been shown to be most effective for students?

1. Frequent and loud

2. Matrixed and specific

3. Authentic and low-key

4. Sparse and generalized

The correct answer is: Authentic and low-key

Authentic and low-key praise is considered most effective for students as it fosters a genuine sense of accomplishment and encourages intrinsic motivation. This type of praise is not exaggerated or overly frequent, which can dilute its value. Instead, it acknowledges specific efforts or improvements in a sincere manner, helping students understand what they did well and reinforcing their intrinsic motivation to learn. When praise is authentic, it aligns more closely with the student’s actual achievements, leading them to internalize the positive feedback and feel a true sense of pride in their work. Low-key praise helps in keeping the focus on the task at hand rather than making it a performance that centers on external validation. Thus, students are more likely to engage with the learning process when they receive praise that feels supportive and genuine. While more frequent and loud forms of praise might seem enthusiastic, they risk becoming less meaningful over time. Praise that is matrixed and specific can be constructive, yet it may not resonate as personally as authentic recognition. Sparse and generalized praise can lead to confusion about what specific behaviors are being recognized, failing to motivate students effectively. Therefore, authentic and low-key praise stands out as the most impactful approach for encouraging student engagement and learning.