Growth Mindset
Growth mindset vs fixed mindset
The main premise of a growth mindset is that your intelligence is not something that is fixed or pre-determined. It is something that everyone can develop and improve through practice and perseverance.
While reading through the following list of a fixed mindset learner to a growth mindset learner, consider your current students and who they might correlate to:
While reading through the following list of a fixed mindset learner to a growth mindset learner, consider your current students and who they might correlate to:
Fixed Mindset
The learner will avoid new challenges. Making a mistake is a failure, and proves to them the task is beyond their reach. They are prone to hiding their mistakes, or lying about them. Feedback and constructive criticism can be threatening, and a reason to quit, and avoid this seemingly negative experience in the future. The learner avoids practice that requires extensive effort. They may have little or no strategies to help them achieve the goal of their task. The learner easily will give up, and demonstrates little perseverance. The learner is not willing to take risks, which as a result they find it hard to engage in lessons at school. |
Growth Mindset
The learner will take on new challenges. Making a mistake is not a failure, but a mere setback that they can eventually overcome. They can reflect on what they have learned and try to apply it to future attempts. Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome, and the learner uses them as motivation to keep trying to succeed. The feedback is a supportive element of their learning. The learner is willing to practice and enjoys the process as they can see that it will help them reach their goal. They probably will have a number of strategies that help them learn. Confidence and "stamina" to complete a task are characteristics of a learner who has a growth mindset. The learner is enthusiastic in attempting tasks, is not afraid to make mistakes, and is happy to share their work. |
More on growth Mindset
Studies on the theory of Growth Mindsets have been championed by Stanford University Professor of Psychology, Carol Dweck.
The following video is from Dweck's TED talk "The Power of Yet".
The following video is from Dweck's TED talk "The Power of Yet".
The next video is an excellent summary of the testing Dweck conducted as part of her studies that looked at the power of praise.
Consider, what are you more likely to say... "you are really smart" or "you worked really hard" ? Surprisingly, it has long term differences.
Consider, what are you more likely to say... "you are really smart" or "you worked really hard" ? Surprisingly, it has long term differences.