Teaching middle school students, I often hear phrases such as;
"I can't do this",
"I'm not good at this",
"I am never going to pass math".
Our students have a fixed mindset, they believe that their abilities are innate and cannot be changed. Carol Dweck said it best "Instead of the power of yet, they were gripped by the tyranny of now". A growth mindset is a powerful tool that we have as educators. If we can get our students to have self-confidence in their intelligence, they will rise to our expectations. The power of the simple word "yet" can help to change a student's entire mindset. "Yet" implies a sense of ongoing change and growth that can still occur even after a challenge with continued effort and persistence.
Carol Dweck also posed the question, "Are we raising them for growth now or for “yet?” Are they focused on the next “A” or test score instead of dreaming big?". Learning is all about growth, but our typical grading scales and assessment schedules cause many students to be fixed on getting the next A and moving on to the next grade. They are not growing their minds through education.
As an educator, and proclaimed lifelong learner I strive to attain a growth mindset. I value feedback as a tool that helps me to expand my knowledge and improve upon what I am already accomplishing. As an educator, I also hope to inspire my students to have a growth mindset and confidence in their own abilities.
Having a growth mindset is a continuing journey. I challenge myself and my students daily to be willing to grow and accept pitfalls as they come. I look forward to learning further information about having a growth mindset, and Carol Dwecks' ideologies in future courses.
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1. Stanford Alumni. (2014, October 9). Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ
2. TEDx Talks. (2012, November 19). The Power of belief -- mindset and success | Eduardo Briceno | TEDxManhattanBeach [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc
3. Heffernan, M. (2015, June 16). Margaret Heffernan: Why it’s time to forget the pecking order at work. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Vyn_xLrtZaY
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