Highsmith, Andrew--Technology / Growth Mindset

Why do mindsets matter? Research has shown that students' mindsets have significant impacts on their motivation, effort, and approach to challenges. Those with a fixed mindset goal that is based on performance instead of learning, may be more likely to avoid challenging work in order to look smart all the time. The growth mindset student embraces challenge, is more likely to persist in the face of failure. It is very important to impart these ideas into students when they are young by teachers and parents in order for the student to develop the growth mindset and positive view of their own intelligence. This graphic demonstrates the research, and how different mindset lead to different behaviors. (Dweck & Leggett, 1988)

Growth Mindset is the scientific concept that our brains, like our muscles, can be strengthened. It revolves around the idea that people can get smarter. This is especially true of school age children. As they spend more time on challenging tasks and engaged in activities that are difficult for them, their brains develop intelligence. Dr. Carol Dweck is a pioneer in this area, and has compiled research proving that with hard work and effort, students can increase their intelligence, making them "smarter". Growth Mindset is contrary to the long established belief that some people are born smarter than others, and that is not something that can be changed. Those ideas belong to a concept called Fixed Mindset, which has been the norm for the majority of educators. As we start to see the emergence of the growth mindset among educators, we see different strategies and terminology that affirms students with the ideas of perseverance and hard work leading to growing intelligence. Dr. Dweck's research can be found here. Please take some time to review it, as it is very enlightening.

Brain Plasticity: Recent advances in neuroscience have shown that the brain can be shaped and strengthened far more than we ever thought possible. Research on brain plasticity has shown that the connections between brain cells (neurons) can change with experiences. With practice, the brain can grow new connections, strengthen existing ones, and increase the speed at which it works. Actions such as using research-based strategies, asking thought-provoking questions, practicing, and following good nutritional and sleep habits can increase brain growth and lead to increased intelligence. (Mindset Works, 2017)

Praise and feedback make a difference. Research has shown that positive praise and feedback make a significant difference in how students view their own intelligence. Research has also shown that praising the effort put forth rather than the outcome results in students putting forth more effort and persisting when faced with challenging content. Also, research has shown the educators and parents with a fixed mindset tend to use comfort-based feedback that gives students the impression that it is okay not to succeed in a subject if it is difficult. While this is positive feedback, it doesn't motivate the student to work hard to overcome obstacles and grow their intelligence. The growth mindset parent/educator will praise the student for the effort involved in getting to the solution, which empowers the student to overcome challenges that come their way. (Rattan et al, 2012)

Last Modified on March 7, 2018