Extrinsic motivators or rewards are frequently used in schools. Candy, homework passes, or field trips may be offered to reward good behavior or performance; withholding or denying rewards serves to punish students whose behavior or performance does not meet expectations. Students may be drawn to extrinsic motivation because it rewards "good" or "best" behavior. Teachers may be drawn to rewards because they result in improved behavior in the short term.

Opponents of extrinsic rewards argue that they undermine learning by bribing or coercing desired behaviors from students. In their view, pursuit of learning or knowledge is properly motivated by enjoyment or curiosity rather than by recognition, reward, or fear of negative consequences.