Question

A few days ago, waheguru suggested that we should be able to trade medals for virtual items like gift cards, etc. Shadow mentioned that you had that idea in mind, and I wanted to know whether that's true, whether you'll be implementing that idea soon.

Answer 1

if someone wants read more about it http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/4f04d08be4b075b56651f041

Answer 2

Yeah, sorry, Preetha mentioned that its happening not Shadow.....

Answer 3

But doesn't this put the wrong cast on things, encourage the wrong sort of thinking? Oughtn't there be satisfaction in the act of helping out itself, doesn't *that* better foster community? Otherwise, doesn't it just become commerce?

I am reminded of those studies on learning, and what happens when kids are encouraged to do their work with the promise of some external reward. Intrinsic motivation tends to decline. Better to be inner-motivated, don't you think? And to value the learning itself, and in this case also the fostering of learning, than to be heading to the store with your "green stamps" to load up on gear.

Ooops, showing my age. In more ways than one.

Answer 4

I'll let Preetha or spraguer speak to the pedagogical aspects of intrinsic vs extrinsic rewards, as they have done much more research on the matter.

Regarding whether the idea is “in mind”, the answer is yes. It may or may not get implemented; if it is, it probably won't be too soon. There are a lot of things we want to do before that.

Answer 5

OK, thanks, just wanted to know.