Mindset

Mindsets is a theory of motivation and learning, based on years of research by Stanford University’s Carol Dweck and her colleagues (Dweck, 2006), that describes a learners attitudes and beliefs about intelligence and ability. 

It is important for teachers to understand students' mindsets towards learning, what the student needs from teachers and school in order to feel excited to learn, what the student needs from schools in order to feel seen and valued, family history and values in regards to schools and schooling, and the students’ attitudes and beliefs about learning (their own and others'). Teachers may also consider how students view mistakes, see taking risks and failure as part of the learning process, etc. 

When students and educators have a growth mindset, they understand that intelligence can be developed. People with a growth mindset focus on improvement instead of worrying about how smart they are. They work hard to learn more and get smarter, and as a result, they tend to be more interested in the next challenge than in their grade or the label applied to their performance.  Students with a growth mindset towards a particular task, skill, or content area may seek increased challenges and be motivated in the face of difficult learning tasks. We know that growth mindset are associated with a wide range of desirable outcomes including: motivation in school, better grades, and higher test scores.

A growth mindset contrasts with a fixed mindset. In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. Students with a fixed mindset towards a particular task, skill, or content area may need support reorienting their thinking about their abilities. 

Like most characteristics of learners, most learners are inconsistent in their mindsets, and mindsets themselves are not fixed. Metacognition and self-regulation (especially for adults) can support changing one's mindset. Similarly, teachers actions can help students shift their mindsets.

Growth mindsets are often associated with the concept of Grit.

Sources: Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success: Random House.

Resources: 

Developing a Growth Mindset in Teachers and Staff, Edutopia, April 2015

Strategies to Foster Growth Mindsets: Resources for Teachers, Mindset Works

Assessing Mindsets, New York City Schools