Plain English Meaning
When a student does something well, the instructor recognizes it. That recognition makes the student more motivated to keep learning and more likely to repeat what they did right.
Full Definition
An instructional technique in which the instructor acknowledges and reinforces a learner's correct performance, effort, or progress in order to strengthen motivation, build confidence, and increase the likelihood that the desired behavior will be repeated.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor training when discussing how instructors build motivation, confidence, and good habits during flight or ground instruction.
Derivation
Reward' comes from Old French 'regarder,' meaning to regard or take notice of. Rewarding success literally means taking notice of what the learner got right — not necessarily giving a prize, but giving recognition.