“no matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.”

Carol S. Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success

One would think that it is easy for an educator to adopt a growth mindset. But as I read through Carol Dweck’s article titled Carol Dweck revisits the ‘growth mindset,’ I reflected on my mindset. While I claim to have a growth mindset, I also have some traits of the “false growth mindset” described in the article. I was led to believe in the professional developments I have attended in the past that it was the ideal thing for our learners to be successful. I have tried (and failed) to encourage my students to realize their ability to conquer math. I would talk “the talk”, but have not really walked “the walk.” Self-doubt and lack of confidence in teenagers are difficult things to overcome. I would find myself walking away from a student that would refuse my support or help. I need to practice what I preach and not let them give up so easily. I know that they are all capable of being successful in my math class. It is not realistic to expect our students and even ourselves to have a growth mindset every minute of every day. We need to learn strategies to address those moments when that fixed mindset creeps back.    

One of the most important goals that I hope to accomplish with the help of technology is to provide my learners with timely and appropriate feedback. With the help of the digital medium, I will be able to monitor their progress in real-time as they work through online practice and assessments. It can help me make decisions regarding necessary interventions or even enrichment opportunities. This will also give me a chance to help my learners find their growth mindset. The online practice also makes it easier and more convenient for multiple attempts to complete and demonstrate mastery of concepts presented in my class. How do I help them see the benefit of their attempts after a previous failure? This is a question I am going to have to think about A LOT. My experiences with allowing retakes on assessments and redoing assignments have not been ideal. The students just are in it to “pass.”  

I want to find a way to convince them that failing is not a bad thing. It is something we cannot shelter them from. This is why having a growth mindset is so important for their success. I need to show them how their efforts and the different strategies will lead them to understand and achieve anything they put their mind to. Hard work is just part of it. Failure and perseverance are just as important.

Reference

Dweck, C. S. (2007). Mindset: The new psychology of success (Updated Edition). Ballantine Books.