What is a common challenge novice teachers face regarding incentive systems?

Novice teachers frequently encounter challenges with incentive systems, and one significant issue is that these systems can be unclear to students. When the criteria for earning rewards or recognition are not well defined or communicated, students may struggle to understand what actions lead to specific rewards. This lack of clarity can result in confusion, where students might feel that the incentives are arbitrary or unfair. Effective incentive systems require transparency and a clear connection between student behavior and the rewards available, which can be difficult for new teachers to establish. Without this understanding, the incentive system may not motivate students as intended, leading to diminished engagement and confusion over expectations.