Mechanism Design on Coursework Grading to Create Incentives for Student Learning

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss some issues of extrinsic motivation in learning and argue that mechanism design can be applied on coursework grading to create incentives for student learning. We present an exploratory study using non-graded coursework in two fourth year university classes. Based on the study results, we discuss and suggest some important factors that influence students’ learning motives and that need to be taken into consideration for designing a proper coursework grading mechanism.