Investigation into Rewards and their effects on Student Motivation in Blended HE.

This report synthesizes psychological, neuroscientific, and experimental research to evaluate how tangible rewards impact student motivation and sustainable learning behaviours in blended higher education.

We found tangible rewards, when carefully structured and aligned with learning objectives, can support engagement and certain performance outcomes in higher education without necessarily undermining intrinsic motivation. The key lies in design, framing, and context—balancing extrinsic incentives with the preservation (and where possible, cultivation) of intrinsic interest.